ISLAMABAD: US and Iranian negotiators at Switzerland’s Bürgenstock resort agreed to establish a “deconfliction cell” aimed at helping ensure the termination of military operations in Lebanon, according to a joint statement issued on Monday by mediators Pakistan and Qatar.
“... the parties agreed on the creation of a de-confliction cell between the parties, the Lebanese Republic and facilitated by the Mediators, to ensure adherence to the termination of military operations in Lebanon as per the MoU,” read the joint statement.
The formation of the deconfliction cell is considered the most important takeaway from the first round of high-level talks following the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding (MoU).
The mechanism is intended to monitor developments and support adherence to understandings on the cessation of hostilities under the broader framework discussed by the parties, according to the joint statement.
The mechanism involves the United States, Iran, and the Lebanese authorities, with facilitation by the two mediators, Pakistan and Qatar.
It will operate alongside a high-level committee and technical working groups established under the Islamabad Memorandum.
The structure of the committee will include working groups on nuclear issues, sanctions and dispute resolution, as part of the implementation of the Islamabad Memorandum.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi referred to the mechanism in a post on X, calling it the “first real test” of the Switzerland understandings.
US Vice President JD Vance, speaking to the media after the conclusion of high-level talks in Bürgenstock, said a “deconfliction mechanism” had been established so the parties can remain in communication when tensions rise.
He said Israel and all other countries in the region have the right to self-defense, but added that the new process is meant to ensure those rights are exercised in a way that helps de-escalate tensions rather than fuel them.
“If the conflict spirals out of control, that is worse for everybody’s security,” he said.
Vance said the arrangement had already begun to show results over the past 24 hours, which he described as the most peaceful period in Lebanon in recent days.
“This is a work in progress,” he said, “but what we’ve done is set up the operation so it does not spiral out of control in the future.”
