TEHRAN, Tuesday, June 16, 2026 (WNP): Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi on Tuesday announced that the first phase of negotiations between Iran and the United States had been successfully finalized, describing the development as a major diplomatic breakthrough and outlining the roadmap toward a comprehensive final agreement.

Addressing ambassadors, chargés d’affaires and heads of foreign and international missions in Tehran, Araghchi said the negotiations had been divided into two phases due to the complexities arising from the conflict and the challenges encountered during the diplomatic process.

He explained that the first phase focused on ending the war, reopening the Strait of Hormuz, lifting the naval blockade, addressing humanitarian concerns, facilitating reconstruction efforts and establishing a memorandum of understanding to serve as the framework for future negotiations.

According to the foreign minister, the first phase was concluded on June 15 after approximately three months of intensive diplomacy and negotiations conducted during the conflict.

“The most important outcome of the first phase is the declaration of an end to the war,” Araghchi said, adding that the termination of hostilities was announced on Monday morning Tehran time following the successful conclusion of negotiations.

He noted that while the end of military operations had already been declared, the formal implementation of the memorandum of understanding would begin on Friday.

Araghchi said the agreement mandates an immediate and permanent cessation of hostilities across all fronts and described this provision as the cornerstone of the accord.

He emphasized that Lebanon forms an integral part of the agreement, arguing that developments there became closely linked to the broader conflict involving Iran.

“From the first day, the Islamic Republic of Iran considered the end of the war in Lebanon to be an essential component of ending the war involving Iran,” he said.

The foreign minister stated that previous ceasefire arrangements had applied to all fronts, including Lebanon, and that the current understanding extends that principle into a permanent framework for ending hostilities.

He further maintained that a complete end to the conflict must also include the end of territorial occupation arising from the war, stressing that the withdrawal of Israeli forces from territories occupied during the conflict is necessary for the agreement to be fully implemented.

Araghchi said that, from Iran’s perspective, the parties to the memorandum include the United States and Israel on one side and Iran and Hezbollah on the other.

He warned that any future Israeli military action against Lebanon or the continuation of Israeli military presence in Lebanese territory would be viewed by Tehran as a violation of the memorandum of understanding.

Looking ahead, Araghchi said negotiations would continue during a second phase aimed at achieving a comprehensive settlement. He noted that discussions over the coming weeks would focus on nuclear-related issues, sanctions relief and other outstanding matters necessary to reach a final agreement.

The foreign minister told diplomats that the successful conclusion of the first phase reflected months of sustained diplomatic engagement and expressed hope that the next stage of talks would pave the way for a durable settlement and long-term regional stability.

The briefing formed part of Iran’s broader diplomatic outreach to inform the international community about the accord and to build support for its implementation ahead of the formal signing ceremony scheduled for Friday, which is being widely viewed as a significant step toward reducing tensions and advancing peace in the region.