US-Iran to sit for talks in Switzerland today
US Vice President JD Vance left for Switzerland on Sunday for talks with Iran. Photo: Reuters
Based on a signed memorandum of understanding, direct talks between the United States and Iran are set to begin in Switzerland. The talks are scheduled to start today (Sunday).
US Vice President JD Vance left Washington late on Saturday night (local time) to join the talks in Switzerland.
An Iranian delegation, including Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf and Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, has already arrived in Switzerland.
Speaking to reporters before boarding the plane, Vance expressed hope that agreements could be reached on nuclear issues and a ceasefire in Lebanon.
When asked about the war between Israel and Hezbollah and the Israeli airstrikes in southern Lebanon, Vance said, "The situation there is actually improving, and everything is gradually calming down."
The US Vice President added, "We must continue to discuss this matter to ensure that both Israel and Lebanon are safe and secure. The main goal of the talks is to make the entire region safe and secure."
Meanwhile, Iran's military has claimed that it has re-closed the Strait of Hormuz in response to Israeli strikes in southern Lebanon. However, the US military rejected this claim, stating that shipping continues as usual.
Iran said the strait was closed in retaliation for Israel's deadly strikes in Lebanon, which it described as a violation of the agreement made with the United States to end the war.
Iran's Foreign Ministry spokesman, Ismail Baghaei, said his country would demand that the US fulfill its promises.
Pakistan's Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif's office confirmed to the BBC that he will join the start of the talks. Pakistan has played a mediating role throughout the war and previously hosted a round of talks between the US and Iran.
At the start of this week, top leaders from Washington and Iran signed a preliminary agreement aimed at immediately ending the ongoing wars, including in Lebanon. The agreement also includes a commitment to hold further talks to reach a final deal within the next 60 days.
However, the ongoing clashes between Israel and the Iran-backed armed group Hezbollah, which is based in the southern suburbs of Lebanon's capital Beirut, have complicated the situation further.
On Saturday, Israeli airstrikes in Lebanon killed at least 47 people, according to the country's health ministry.
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said it struck 80 targets linked to Hezbollah and killed dozens of its members.
The IDF also reported that four of its soldiers were killed in Hezbollah attacks.
Attacks between Israel and Hezbollah continued after the announcement of the US-Iran agreement. But on Friday afternoon, an immediate ceasefire was secured between the two sides through Washington's mediation.
Source: BBC
