Araghchi calls new Lebanon mechanism 'first test' of US-Iran understandings

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi says the first real test of progress made in Switzerland will be a newly established mechanism designed to prevent renewed fighting in Lebanon.

In a post on X, Araghchi praised Pakistani and Qatari mediation efforts, saying they had delivered "major progress" toward ending the Lebanon war and implementing the Iran-US memorandum of understanding.

"Tireless Pakistani and Qatari mediation has delivered major progress to end Lebanon War," he wrote, pointing to sanctions waivers for oil and petrochemical exports, the lifting of the blockade, the release of some frozen assets and a major reconstruction and development plan for Iran.

"The first real test: Lebanon deconfliction cell."

The comment appeared to refer to a provision in the joint statement issued by mediators Qatar and Pakistan following nearly 18 hours of talks in Switzerland.

According to the statement, the United States and Iran agreed to create a deconfliction cell involving the two countries and the Lebanese government, with Qatar and Pakistan facilitating the process.

The mechanism is intended to "ensure adherence to the termination of military operations in Lebanon" under the memorandum of understanding.