US-Iran Technical Talks Begin in Switzerland Today
News Desk
Bürgenstock: Following the signing of the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding, technical talks between the United States and Iran are set to begin today (Friday) in the Swiss resort town of Bürgenstock.
According to Switzerland’s Foreign Ministry, delegates from both countries will discuss the implementation of the agreement and outline the next steps in the diplomatic process. Representatives from Pakistan and Qatar, which have played key mediating roles, are also expected to participate in the negotiations.
Meanwhile, the anticipated visit of US Vice President JD Vance to Switzerland has been canceled.
A White House spokesperson told reporters that arrangements and scheduling for the expected technical talks with Iran have not yet been finalized, although the US delegation remains prepared to depart as soon as conditions allow.
In a statement issued to the White House Press Pool, the spokesperson said that, as Vice President Vance noted during a recent press conference, plans for the upcoming negotiations are still being finalized.
“The logistics of these negotiations are never simple or predictable,” the spokesperson said, explaining that the vice president would not be traveling on the previously expected schedule. Any developments regarding the next phase of talks will be communicated as they emerge.
The White House also reiterated that the United States looks forward to launching technical negotiations as soon as possible.
Under the memorandum of understanding signed earlier this week, Washington and Tehran have agreed to engage in 60 days of technical negotiations concerning the future of Iran’s nuclear program.
Earlier, Vice President Vance said the talks were expected to begin by the end of the week and that he had planned to travel to Switzerland for their opening. However, he cautioned that circumstances could change, noting that agreements involving Iran are rarely finalized quickly or easily.
“It depends entirely on when the Iranian representatives can arrive,” Vance said, adding that discussions on scheduling were still ongoing but that he remained confident negotiations would commence before the week’s end.
The Swiss government has not released further details regarding the meeting, and references to the participation of additional countries were removed from a revised official statement.
