Vance Departs for Switzerland Amid Diplomatic Push
US Vice President JD Vance and Second Lady Usha Vance departed for Switzerland on Saturday (local time) for technical-level talks with Iran, following the signing of a 14-point memorandum of understanding (MoU) between the two sides to end hostilities in West Asia. The discussions, set to take place near Lucerne, will focus on nuclear and regional security issues.
Vance Outlines Key Objectives
Speaking to reporters before his departure, Vance said he understood that the Iranian delegation had already arrived in Switzerland and that talks could continue for "a couple of days." He stated, "I can only be there for a day or two. I think we're going to hopefully make progress on the nuclear issue and make progress on the Lebanon ceasefire issue. Those are the two big things that I think we're to be focused on. I'm sure the Iranians are going to have issues they'd like to discuss as well."
Lebanon Situation Improving, Says Vance
Addressing the situation in Lebanon, particularly due to Israeli strikes, Vance noted that tensions were easing. "Things are actually getting better there, and things are slowing down a little bit. Marco and the entire team have been actively managing what's going on in Lebanon. Despite the headlines, things are actually getting better there, and things are slowing down a little bit," he said. Vance emphasized the broader goal of preventing escalation and ensuring regional stability, stating, "It's going to be something we're just going to have to continuously manage to ensure that you know Israel and Lebanon are both safe and secure. That's fundamentally the goal of this, to make the whole region safe and secure."
Iranian Delegation Arrives in Zurich
The Iranian delegation, led by Parliament Speaker and Chief Negotiator MB Ghalibaf, has arrived in Zurich for the first round of technical talks with the US as part of the 14-point MoU, according to Iranian state media Press TV. The negotiation team is named "Minab 168" in honor of the victims of the Minab school incident, which Iranian officials have previously highlighted in diplomatic messaging.
Background of the MoU
US President Donald Trump and Iran's President Masoud Pezeshkian virtually signed the MoU on Wednesday, aiming to end hostilities between the two countries, reopen the Strait of Hormuz, and launch negotiations on a broader agreement, including talks on Iran's nuclear programme.
US Envoys Already in Switzerland
US envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner are already in Switzerland, where the first round of talks with Iran on a potential nuclear deal is expected to take place on Sunday, US officials told Axios. The Iranian delegation left Tehran shortly after the Iranian armed forces announced the closure of the Strait of Hormuz in response to violations of the ceasefire by Israel in Lebanon, which was an "integral part" of the MoU.
Qatar's Role as Mediator
Qatar's Prime Minister and Foreign Minister, Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, also arrived in Switzerland on Friday, as Qatar is considered one of the principal mediators facilitating contacts between Washington and Tehran.
