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Tag: Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf

  • U.S. and Iran Agree on 60-Day Road Map Toward Peace Deal After Breakthrough Switzerland Talks

    U.S. and Iran Agree on 60-Day Road Map Toward Peace Deal After Breakthrough Switzerland Talks

    The United States and Iran have taken a significant step toward ending months of conflict after high-level negotiations in Switzerland produced a framework aimed at securing a final peace agreement within 60 days.

    Speaking after the marathon talks, U.S. Vice President JD Vance described the discussions as productive and said both sides had made substantial progress toward a broader settlement.

    “We laid a very good foundation for a successful final deal,” Vance told reporters before departing Switzerland, emphasizing that while a final agreement has not yet been reached, negotiators have established the groundwork needed to move forward.

    The talks, held in the Swiss resort town of Bürgenstock, initially faced challenges after tensions escalated following renewed warnings from U.S. President Donald Trump. According to Vance, Iranian officials considered leaving the negotiations but ultimately remained at the table.

    A joint statement released by mediators Qatar and Pakistan described the talks as constructive and confirmed several key developments. Among the most significant outcomes was the creation of a High Level Committee tasked with overseeing the political and technical process required to achieve a final agreement.

    Negotiators also agreed to establish new communication channels aimed at preventing military misunderstandings and ensuring safe passage through the strategically important Strait of Hormuz, a vital artery for global oil supplies that has faced disruptions in recent months.

    Vance revealed that Iran had agreed to allow inspectors from the International Atomic Energy Agency back into the country, a move viewed as a major confidence-building measure in ongoing discussions surrounding Tehran’s nuclear program.

    Iran’s delegation, led by Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, concluded approximately 18 hours of intensive negotiations. Technical talks are continuing under the leadership of Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi to address unresolved issues involving nuclear activities, sanctions, and dispute-resolution mechanisms.

    The negotiations also touched on regional security concerns, including efforts to reduce tensions in Lebanon, where clashes involving Iranian-backed Hezbollah and Israel have continued despite diplomatic efforts.

    Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif welcomed the outcome of the talks, while Swiss officials praised the progress and described the newly established committee as a positive step toward a comprehensive settlement.

    Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi said the newly created deconfliction mechanism would be an important test of both sides’ commitment to maintaining progress. He also highlighted advances related to oil exports, frozen Iranian assets, and reconstruction efforts.

    The positive developments helped calm global energy markets, with oil prices declining after news of the negotiations emerged, easing concerns about potential supply disruptions.

    Despite the progress, challenges remain. President Trump warned that the United States could resume military action if Iran closes the Strait of Hormuz or continues supporting armed groups in Lebanon. Iranian officials responded by warning that direct negotiations could become difficult if such threats continue.

    While a final agreement remains uncertain, the Switzerland talks have provided the clearest pathway yet toward reducing tensions between Washington and Tehran and potentially bringing an end to the conflict.

  • Iran Holds Mass Weddings for Couples Pledging ‘Self-Sacrifice’ in War Against U.S. and Israel

    Iran Holds Mass Weddings for Couples Pledging ‘Self-Sacrifice’ in War Against U.S. and Israel

    Iranian authorities staged large-scale public wedding ceremonies in Tehran for hundreds of couples who signed up for a state-backed campaign pledging readiness to sacrifice their lives in the country’s ongoing conflict with the United States and Israel.

    The ceremonies, held across several major squares in the Iranian capital late Monday, were part of the government’s “Janfada” or “self-sacrifice” initiative, according to Iranian state media. More than 100 couples reportedly participated in a central event at Imam Hossein Square, where celebrations were broadcast live on state television to promote national unity and wartime morale.

    The campaign comes amid heightened tensions following months of conflict that began on February 28 and a fragile ceasefire that has yet to fully stabilize the region. U.S. President Donald Trump has continued to warn of possible new military action against Iran despite ongoing diplomatic efforts.

    Participants in the Janfada movement reportedly pledged to support the war effort through acts described by authorities as national sacrifice, including forming human chains around critical infrastructure such as power stations.

    Iranian officials claim that millions of citizens have joined the initiative, including prominent political figures such as Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf and President Masoud Pezeshkian.

    Images from the ceremonies showed couples arriving in military jeeps equipped with mounted machine guns before taking part in marriage rites led by clerics on decorated stages surrounded by balloons and patriotic displays. A large portrait of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei was prominently displayed during the event. Khamenei has remained largely absent from public appearances since assuming leadership following the death of his father and predecessor, Ali Khamenei, during the early stages of the war.

    Some newlyweds described the ceremonies as both patriotic and spiritual. One bride told Iranian media that although the country is at war, young people still deserve the opportunity to marry and celebrate life. Another participant said the event coincided with the anniversary of the marriage of Imam Ali and Fatima, revered figures in Shia Islam, making the occasion especially meaningful.

    The Iranian government has organized frequent pro-government rallies and public events since the conflict began, seeking to demonstrate widespread public support and mobilization during the ongoing crisis.