US and Iran agree direct channel, 60-day roadmap as mediators push for Middle East peace deal
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1 month · 2 summary articles
US and Iran agree direct channel, 60-day roadmap as mediators push for Middle East peace deal
US and Iran agree 60-day roadmap to end Middle East war
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US and Iran agree to direct communication line and de-confliction cell as mediators unveil 60-day roadmap to final peace deal, with technical talks to resume next week.
Pakistan’s Foreign Ministry announced on Thursday that Washington and Tehran have agreed to establish a direct communication channel and a de-confliction cell to prevent incidents, as mediators Pakistan and Qatar released a joint roadmap aimed at securing a comprehensive peace agreement within 60 days. The Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding, brokered under the framework of the recent US-Iran talks in Switzerland, sets out a clear timeline for negotiations, with technical-level discussions scheduled to restart early next week following a temporary pause.
The breakthrough follows weeks of shuttle diplomacy and comes as regional stakeholders intensify efforts to stabilise the Middle East. A joint statement from Islamabad and Doha underscored the urgency of the process, warning that any delay risks further escalation. “The establishment of a direct communication line and de-confliction mechanism is a critical first step toward reducing tensions and creating an environment conducive to substantive dialogue,” a senior Pakistani official told reporters.
The announcement coincides with separate diplomatic developments in Washington and Beirut. Lebanese President Joseph Aoun confirmed that ongoing negotiations with Israel remain on a distinct track from the US-Iran process, which is currently centred in Switzerland. Aoun outlined a phased approach to consolidating the ceasefire, including Israeli withdrawal, Lebanese army deployment, reconstruction efforts, and prisoner exchanges, while discussions on pilot zones continue. “These tracks are separate but complementary,” Aoun stated, emphasising that progress in one area could influence broader regional stability.
Iran’s parliamentary speaker, Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf, framed the Lebanon ceasefire as equally vital to ending internal hostilities, speaking at an Islamic parliamentary summit in Baku. “A ceasefire in Lebanon carries the same weight as ending conflict within our own borders,” Qalibaf said, linking the two priorities under the broader framework of regional peace talks. His remarks reflect Tehran’s insistence that any agreement must address both external and domestic security concerns.
International reaction has been cautiously optimistic. China’s Foreign Ministry welcomed the Islamabad pact as a “positive signal,” urging all parties to safeguard the agreement and resolve disputes through dialogue. “We oppose any threat or use of force and support efforts to de-escalate tensions,” spokesperson Guo Jiakun told reporters in Beijing.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan condemned Israel’s role in undermining regional consensus, describing Tel Aviv as a “massacre network” that thrives on occupation and terror. Speaking in parliament, Erdogan reaffirmed Turkey’s commitment to pushing for lasting solutions in Iran, warning that Israeli provocations risk derailing the fragile progress. “Peace will prevail despite these attempts,” he declared.
With technical talks set to resume next week, the coming two months will be decisive. Mediators have stressed that the roadmap leaves little room for further delays, and the establishment of a direct communication line signals a rare moment of diplomatic pragmatism between two long-standing adversaries.
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