Iran says Switzerland talks with US postponed after Israeli attacks on Lebanon
Talks between Iran and the United States in Switzerland on a recently signed memorandum of understanding (MoU) have been postponed, Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei said, citing Israeli attacks on Lebanon that he said violated the agreement.
The talks had been scheduled to take place in Switzerland on Friday under the "Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding" signed by the US and Iran a day earlier, after the two sides agreed on a 14-point accord on Monday, News.Az reports, citing Iran's English-language Press TV.
Under the deal, Washington and Tehran agreed on a framework to end the war on all fronts, including in Lebanon, reopen the Strait of Hormuz and negotiate key issues within 60 days.
RECOMMENDED STORIES
Speaking to reporters on Friday, Baghaei outlined the procedural roadmap for the next phase of Iran-US talks, emphasising that "necessary consultations" were already underway through intermediaries.
"Necessary consultations are being conducted through mediators for this purpose. If the required conditions for the start of negotiations are met, an announcement will be made," he said.
The spokesman underscored that the MoU sets clear prerequisites for moving towards a comprehensive agreement.
"According to the text of the memorandum of understanding, the commencement of final agreement negotiations is contingent upon the initiation of the implementation of provisions outlined in clauses 1, 4, 5, 10 and 11 of the MoU and its continuation," Baghaei said.
He noted that the scheduled Iran-US talks had been delayed because their original purpose had largely been fulfilled through other means.
"One of the main objectives of the Switzerland meeting on Friday was the signing of the text of the memorandum on ending the imposed war," he said.
He added that discussions on arrangements for negotiations on a final agreement had also been expected to take place on the sidelines of the signing ceremony.
"Given that the signing of the memorandum of understanding was carried out digitally in the early hours of 18 June, holding the meeting in Switzerland is not urgent," Baghaei said.
"However, we are planning to hold a meeting in the coming days," he added.
The 14-point "Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding between the United States of America and the Islamic Republic of Iran" was formally signed by the presidents of both countries early on Thursday, bringing the agreement into force.
According to Press TV, the text was finalised on Sunday following months of intensive negotiations mediated by Pakistan, with support from other regional countries.
Under the MoU, the war on all fronts, including in Lebanon, is to end immediately. The agreement also calls for the lifting of the US naval blockade against Iran and provides for the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz to commercial shipping.
Similar news
