Vitkoff Headed to Switzerland for Talks with Iran: What We Know
20 June 08:11
U.S. President’s Special Envoy Stephen Witkoff has flown to Switzerland to take part in the first round of negotiations with the Iranian delegation on the nuclear deal, the American news site Axios reported, citing a U.S. source, according to "Komersant Ukrainian".
According to media reports, another White House representative— Jared Kushner, son-in-law of President Donald Trump —is already in Switzerland.
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As Axios notes, on June 19 , the Prime Minister of Qatar, Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdul Rahman Al Thani— one of the key mediators between the U.S. and Iran—arrived in Switzerland. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi plans to fly to Switzerland on June 20, but those plans may change, according to a source cited by the publication.
Another source speaking to Axios stated that on June 19, Araghchi told his counterparts from the countries mediating the talks with the U.S. about the “critical importance” of a ceasefire in Lebanon for Iran. It is reported that the Iranians want to see a lasting ceasefire in the region before negotiations begin. Therefore, it is not yet clear whether a date has been set for a meeting between the two countries’ delegations.
Earlier, the U.S.-Iran talks scheduled for June 19 were postponed
Talks between representatives from Washington and Tehran were scheduled to take place on June 19. The plan was to sign a memorandum of understanding between the two countries. One of its key provisions is a cessation of hostilities across the entire front line, including Lebanon. The document also stipulates that a 60-day period of negotiations between the U.S. and Iran would begin on the day of its signing, during which they are to agree on the final version of a peace agreement
However, the document was ultimately signed remotely on June 17, and the meeting in Switzerland was “postponed.” As Axios reports, the reason for the breakdown in negotiations was the continuation of hostilities in southern Lebanon between Israel and the Iranian-backed Lebanese radical Shiite movement “Hezbollah.” On June 19, media outlets reported that the parties had managed to agree on a ceasefire.
Trump criticized Iran for postponing the talks
Until late in the evening of June 18, the Swiss side had expected the talks between the U.S. and Iran to take place and anticipated welcoming representatives not only from these two countries but also from the mediating nations—Qatar and Pakistan. However, U.S. Vice President David James Vance then declined to participate in the meeting. It is not yet known whether he will fly to Switzerland over the weekend.
On June 19, U.S. President Donald Trump effectively accused Iran of postponing the talks.
“It wasn’t us who went to the meeting out of desperation, but Iran. They’re finished! We will determine how these 60 days (of negotiations— Ed. ) will unfold. They won’t get any money—not even ten cents,” he wrote on the social media platform Truth Social.
This likely refers to a clause in the memorandum which, according to media reports, provides for the allocation of $300 billion to Iran for the country’s reconstruction from a private investment fund, as well as the unfreezing of $24 billion in Iranian assets.
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