What we know so far about the US-Iran summit in Switzerland | US-Israel War on Iran News

Representatives of the United States and Iran are expected to meet in Switzerland on Friday to present an agreement to end the US-Israel war on Iran and begin the next phase of negotiations.

14 points memorandum of understanding A framework for negotiations during the 60-day negotiation period was signed by the US and Iran on Wednesday.

Here’s what we know so far about what’s happening in Switzerland.

Where will the event be held?

A ceremony followed by talks is expected to take place at the Burgenstock Resort in Stansstad, near Lucerne in central Switzerland.

It is owned by Katara Hospitality, part of Qatar’s wealth fund that helped advocate for peace during the conflict.

Al Jazeera’s Diplomatic Editor James Bays, reporting to Burgenstock, said: “One of its advantages is its location – it’s on top of a mountain, so it gives you protection. It also gives you the opportunity to control opportunities. I’ve covered many diplomatic events over the years in Switzerland, but negotiations with the eyes of journalists and media 24-7 are different 24.7-7 .

“I remember the first talks on Iran, which took place in 2013, were held at the InterContinental Hotel in the center of Geneva.

“During this time, the journalists spent the whole day in the coffee shop buying coffee so that we can trouble people when they come to investigate what is happening.

Also reporting from Burgenstock on Thursday, Al Jazeera reporter Osama bin Javaid said: “There is a helicopter going up and down, we have seen the Swiss army and police doing their rounds.

“This is not just a signing ceremony because the documents have already been signed, but it is the official beginning of the 59 days that are left for these parts to come to an end.”

The same place was held by International peace conference in Ukraine in 2024, a two-day meeting in which there were about 100 delegates from different countries and the purpose of which was to establish a plan to end the war. It was attended by the Vice President of the US at the time Kamala Harris, along with leaders from Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan and the United Kingdom, as well as ambassadors from many other countries.

Although most of the participants signed the short document issued at the end of the meeting, several key countries did not. Several major countries in the Global South cited Russia’s absence or Israel’s presence as reasons for refusing to accept it.

Who is going to Switzerland on Friday?

Details of those who will attend have not been released and it was not clear Thursday if all the officials will attend.

Until yesterday, the signing ceremony was expected on Friday, with the Vice President of the US JD Vance and the Speaker of the Iranian Parliament Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf.

But as the signing has already taken place, it is understood that negotiations for the next phase of the agreement will begin on Friday, possibly following a small ceremony to commemorate the occasion.

“At the moment, the plan remains for the United States and Iran, together with the mediators of Pakistan and Qatar and other countries involved, to meet tomorrow in Burgenstock to discuss the first steps on the implementation of the agreement,” the Swiss foreign ministry said on Thursday.

However, also on Thursday, Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif canceled his trip to Switzerland, his spokesman told AFP reporters.

“The proposed visit has been suspended because the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding has already been signed electronically, has become operational, and is working,” said Mosharraf Zaidi, adding that Pakistan would support the next phase of several “technical measures”.

As a result, the entire event is expected to be scaled back, Al Jazeera’s Bays said.

“If the Prime Minister of Pakistan does not come, then there is a question of diplomatic protocol. There will be no equals. It will be very low when you have this kind of situation, because everyone should be on the same level.

“This is one of the important rules of international diplomacy. So it is unlikely that we will now see JD Vance and the speaker of the Iranian parliament Mohammad Ghalibaf here. Some Pakistani media say that we will discuss technology.”

On Thursday, Vance told US reporters that he would like to go to Switzerland for talks, but did not know when that would happen.

What is the agreement about?

The US presented a 14-point explanation memorandum of understanding It arrived with Iran on Wednesday.

He has yet to issue a statement, but a US official read a statement to reporters on Wednesday. Iranian officials have not yet confirmed the US statement.

The US official said, in addition to reopening the Strait of Hormuz and lifting the blockade of the US military on Iranian ports, Washington will also impose sanctions on Iran’s oil sector.

Both sides have emphasized that this initial preparation is only the beginning of 60 days of in-depth discussions, including Iran’s nuclear program, its support for regional proxies and how the Strait of Hormuz will be managed in the future.