US and Iran agree on communication line to avoid incidents

The United States and Iran have agreed to establish a direct communication line aimed at preventing incidents and miscommunication, Pakistan’s Foreign Ministry confirmed on Wednesday. Foreign Ministry spokesman Tahir Andrabi told reporters in Islamabad that the joint statement issued by the mediating nations, Pakistan and Qatar, includes provisions for a communication channel as well as a de‑confliction cell to coordinate on safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz and broader implementation of the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding.

Five‑point agreement

Andrabi detailed five points agreed upon by the parties: the establishment of a high‑level committee for political oversight, led by chief negotiators who will report regularly and lead working groups focused on nuclear issues, sanctions, monitoring, and dispute resolution; a 60‑day roadmap toward a final peace deal; a direct communication line to avoid incidents; and the creation of a de‑confliction cell involving the US, Iran, Lebanon, and the mediators. The joint statement was released following direct talks between US Vice President JD Vance and Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf in Switzerland over the weekend.

Next steps

Technical‑level talks between Washington and Tehran are expected to resume next week, according to Andrabi. The agreement represents a significant step toward implementing the Islamabad Memorandum, which aims to end the conflict, reopen the Strait of Hormuz, and address Iran’s nuclear programme and sanctions.