Iran's extensive delegation at the first round of technical talks with the United States in Switzerland on Sunday signaled a primary objective of securing "immediate cash flow" and substantial financial concessions from the outset. The team's arrival followed a memorandum of understanding signed by President Donald Trump and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian.
Counterterrorism expert Dr. Omar Mohammed described the negotiations as the most consequential in the Middle East in years, stating that Iran arrived "as if this were the moment to collect." He noted that Tehran sent a 'whole-regime' apparatus, led by chief negotiator Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf and Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, indicating a strategy to protect domestic leverage.
The delegation included top security, legal, and financial officials, such as Abdolnaser Hemmati, governor of the Central Bank of Iran, who headed the economic committee; Ali Bagheri Kani, deputy secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council; and Kazem Gharibabadi, deputy foreign minister for legal affairs, along with senior state oil and energy officials. Mohammed explained that this composition, which goes beyond a narrow diplomatic team, is built around implementation, money, leverage, and protecting the regime's red lines.
The presence of the central bank governor and oil officials specifically pointed to Iran's primary objectives: immediate cash flow, energy leverage, and control of maritime operations. Mohammed suggested that the inclusion of Hemmati indicated that the talks addressed frozen assets, sanctions relief, banking channels, and the speed at which Iran could access usable currency. The involvement of oil officials implies that maritime security and energy leverage, particularly concerning the Strait of Hormuz, are also on the table.
Gharibabadi's role, according to Mohammed, suggests a focus on the legal aspects of verification and language, potentially to ensure Iran can circumvent future enforcement measures.
The U.S. delegation includes Vice President JD Vance, U.S. Special Envoy for Peace Missions Steve Witkoff, and former senior White House adviser Jared Kushner. Vance had expressed hope for progress on both the nuclear issue and the escalating Lebanon ceasefire crisis. He also stated that Trump aimed to turn over "a new leaf" in U.S.-Iran relations.
In contrast, Iranian state TV reported that hardline lawmaker Mahmoud Nabavian read excerpts from letters allegedly from Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei, which expressed opposition to nuclear talks, demanded compensation from Washington, and insisted on Iran's control of the Strait of Hormuz.
Mohammed warned that the differing compositions of the delegations reflect divergent approaches. He suggested that if Iran secures financial benefits before making concessions, it will be interpreted as a victory, not a compromise. According to his analysis, if the U.S. provides financial and legal assurances while Iran maintains leverage over Hormuz, proxies, missiles, and its nuclear options, it would amount to financing Iran's next phase rather than securing peace. He concluded that the Iranian delegation was designed not to end its leverage but to collect benefits from a pause, preserve pressure points, and carry them into future negotiations. The talks between Iran and the U.S. were paused on Sunday but not concluded.