U.S., Iran agree on roadmap for final deal and plan to end military operations in Lebanon

The U.S. and Iran made progress during talks in Switzerland on Monday toward reaching a final deal within 60 days, including the agreement to establish a committee and a mechanism to end hostilities in Lebanon. "The Lake Lucerne Summit was conducted in a positive and constructive atmosphere. Encouraging progress has been made, including the creation of a mechanism for further technical talks," according to a joint statement by mediating parties Qatar and Pakistan. Building on a memorandum of understanding signed last week, the parties agreed to establish a "High Level Committee" that will provide political oversight of the mediation. Chief negotiators will report regularly to the committee and lead working groups on nuclear, sanctions, and dispute resolution, according to the joint statement. The parties also agreed to establish a "de-confliction" cell between the U.S., Iran and Lebanon, facilitated by the mediating countries, to ensure full termination of military hostilities in Lebanon. Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi described the talks as having delivered "major progress," saying Tehran had secured what he described as waivers for oil and petrochemical exports, the lifting of the blockade on its ports, the release of some frozen assets and the launch of a reconstruction and development plan. …