US-Iran MoU technical talks delayed, US Vice President Vance not yet leaving for Switzerland | LIVE BLOG
‘The plans for the upcoming technical talks have not been finalized, and the U.S. delegation has been prepared to depart,’ says a White House Spokesperson
The US-Iran MoU is already in effect, with US Central Command (CENTCOM) announcing that US forces have lifted their maritime blockade on Iranian ports and coastal areas. Although naval ships remain in the area to oversee agreement adherence. According to US Vice President JD Vance, nearly a dozen ships have gone through the US blockade. He says Iran is honoring their side of the deal so far.
Meanwhile, US President Donald Trump says he expects a complete ceasefire on all fronts, including between Israel and Hezbollah in Lebanon. In a statement, Trump urged all actors in the region to maintain the conditions necessary for the continuation of ongoing negotiations. This statement comes as the US administration expresses growing irritation with Israel over the heavy civilian toll in Lebanon during the fighting against Hezbollah. Despite the Islamabad MoU being signed, the United States has not publicly called on Israel to withdraw its troops from the south of the country. For its part, Israel maintains that it is not bound by this agreement and is ruling out any military withdrawal from Lebanese territory at this time. READ MORE FROM THURSDAY
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The Iranian negotiating delegation has suspended its trip to Switzerland due to the continuation of Israeli strikes on southern Lebanon – report
According to pro-Hezbollah Al-Mayadeen, Tehran reportedly informed Washington and the mediators that the Lebanon file is considered central to it in conducting the negotiations and their continuation or suspension, and the continuation of Israeli operations constitutes a flagrant violation of the first clause of the MoU
According to a White House Spokesperson, the US-Iran MoU technical discussions have not been finalized and have been delayed
In a statement, they said, “The U.S. delegation has been prepared to depart at the first available opportunity. But the logistics of these negotiations have never been simple or predictable. As of now, the Vice President is not departing tonight. We will let you know as soon as we have a concrete update about the next steps