Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei has announced that a new phase of negotiations between Tehran and Washington will begin following the signing of a recently agreed memorandum of understanding.
Speaking on Thursday, June 18, Baghaei said the memorandum had been signed by senior officials from both countries in Persian and English, formally opening the next stage of diplomatic engagement.
He explained that the signing process was changed from an in-person ceremony planned in Switzerland to a virtual format after consultations between the parties. According to Baghaei, both sides concluded that direct signatures by the presidents of the two countries could be completed without requiring a face-to-face meeting.
The spokesman said one of the factors behind the decision was to increase the political cost of any future violation of the agreement.
Baghaei also confirmed that the previously scheduled meeting in Switzerland remains on the agenda. However, he noted that final details regarding the event will be determined after further consultations with mediators involved in the process.
According to the Iranian official, the next phase of negotiations will begin immediately after the memorandum’s signing, with future discussions focusing on implementation mechanisms, technical details and the pathway toward a final comprehensive agreement.
The announcement comes after earlier reports indicated that the memorandum was expected to be signed on June 19 during a gathering in Switzerland. The signing process, however, was completed ahead of the previously announced schedule.
At the same time, Swiss authorities have confirmed that a formal meeting between Iranian and American delegations is still expected to take place as planned. Representatives from both countries have reportedly traveled to Switzerland to participate in the talks.
The Swiss Foreign Ministry has emphasized that responsibility for determining the agenda, substance of negotiations and meeting arrangements rests entirely with the negotiating parties.
Recent statements from Iranian, American, Pakistani and Swiss officials suggest that diplomatic efforts have now shifted from reaching an initial understanding toward discussing practical implementation and long-term arrangements.
Observers believe the upcoming negotiations could be crucial in determining whether the current memorandum develops into a broader and more durable agreement between Tehran and Washington.
