Geneva, June 21 (SANA) The United States and Iran are due to hold a new round of talks on Sunday in Geneva, Switzerland, as part of ongoing diplomatic efforts addressing regional and international issues amid escalating tensions in the Middle East, including Iran’s nuclear program, the ceasefire in Lebanon, and maritime security in the Strait of Hormuz.
According to media reports, the Iranian delegation arrived in Switzerland on Saturday, while U.S. Vice President J.D. Vance arrived on Sunday morning to take part in the discussions. Washington has expressed cautious optimism over prospects for progress on several key issues following what officials described as a preliminary understanding aimed at reducing tensions between the two sides.
Speaking to reporters before departing Joint Base Andrews, Vance said the United States expects movement on Iran’s nuclear program, as well as discussions on consolidating the ceasefire in Lebanon, describing both as priorities for the current phase of talks.
Early indications suggest the discussions will cover both technical and political tracks, as the two sides seek to establish more stable arrangements following weeks of heightened military and political developments across the region.
The talks were initially scheduled to begin on Friday but were postponed at short notice due to Israeli military escalation in Lebanon, which disrupted the diplomatic timetable.
During the intervening period, political sources said there had been preliminary understandings to extend the ceasefire in Lebanon. However, these were reportedly undermined by renewed Israeli military operations in southern Lebanon, amid mutual accusations of violations of the truce between Israeli forces and Hezbollah.
The latest round of diplomacy follows a memorandum of understanding signed on the 18th of this month between the United States and Iran, mediated by Pakistan, outlining steps to address several outstanding issues, including stabilizing a halt in military operations and safeguarding navigation in the Strait of Hormuz, as part of broader efforts to end the conflict that erupted in late February.
R.D/ABD
