By Ajibola Olaide, JKNewsMedia Reporter
NEGOTIATIONS BETWEEN the United States (US) and Iran opened on an uneasy footing in Burgenstock, Switzerland, as both sides exchanged threats and raised doubts over prospects for a breakthrough following an initial agreement signed last week to end the war.
JKNewsMedia.com reports that the talks are intended to begin two months of negotiations after a memorandum of understanding signed on Wednesday to end the conflict in the Middle East, with commitments to reach a final agreement within 60-day period, end hostilities on all fronts including in Lebanon, and reopen the Strait of Hormuz.
Attendance at the Swiss venue included US Vice President JD Vance, Mohammed Ghalibaf, the speaker of the Iranian parliament, and the prime ministers of Qatar and Pakistan. Switzerland was represented by Ignazio Cassi.
The talks were confirmed by Swiss broadcaster SWI, with Switzerland hosting the discussions at the Bürgenstock mountaintop resort.
During the negotiations, US President Donald Trump warned of military action if Iran failed to restrain Hezbollah in Lebanon, saying Iran must immediately stop its proxies from causing trouble and that the United States would respond forcefully.
However, Mohammed Ghalibaf dismissed the warning, stating that threats had no effect on the current situation and asserting that action, not words, would follow Iran’s position.
A diplomat familiar with the talks told Agence France-Presse (AFP) that the Iranian delegation remained engaged, despite reports suggesting it had left after the statement from Trump.
The diplomat said there had been no indication to mediators of any intention to withdraw.
VP JD Vance said the US hoped for progress on the nuclear issue and Lebanon, while Iran said it would insist on full compliance with commitments from the other side.
Delegations also included Jared Kushner and special envoy Steve Witkoff for the US, while Iran was represented by Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf and Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi.
Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Field Marshal Asim Munir also attended, with Pakistan continuing its role as mediator.
Prior to the meeting, deadly clashes between Israel and Hezbollah have continued despite the ceasefire agreement, with both sides maintaining their positions in southern Lebanon, and Israel stating its conflict with Hezbollah remains separate from the wider war.
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