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Iran deputy FM says ‘ready to move forward’ in deal with US
TL;DR
Iran's deputy foreign minister expressed readiness to advance diplomatic talks with the US, contingent on US adherence to agreements and Israel's compliance. This follows the cancellation of scheduled talks in Switzerland amid escalating violence in Lebanon.
Key points
- Iran's deputy foreign minister emphasizes readiness for talks
- US must respect agreements for negotiations to proceed
- Scheduled talks in Switzerland were canceled due to violence in Lebanon
Mentioned in this story
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Iran’s deputy foreign minister says Tehran wants to continue the diplomatic process with Washington, if the United States is serious about respecting their agreement and ensures Israel abides by the terms of the memorandum of understanding (MoU).
“We are ready to move forward step by step, if the other party demonstrates the same seriousness,” Saeed Khatibzadeh told Al Jazeera Arabic in an interview on Friday.
His comments came after talks between the US and Iran that were due in Switzerland on Friday were called off, and US Vice President JD Vance cancelled his planned trip there.
Earlier, officials including mediators Pakistan and Qatar said the two sides would meet in Burgenstock to begin negotiations on a host of issues as outlined in the MoU signed between the US and Iran this week.
Reports said the talks may have been called off after intense fighting between Israel and Hezbollah in southern Lebanon on Friday. Lebanon’s health ministry said Israeli attacks killed at least 47 people since midnight.
Speaking to Al Jazeera, Khatibzadeh denounced the latest Israeli attacks in Lebanon, saying Israel’s “continued war-making” would have “serious and immediate consequences”.
He said Iran was seeking “peace on all fronts, including Gaza”, and explained that Lebanon had been included in the MoU because of its direct connection to the conflict.
Article 1 of the MoU explicitly states that ending the war in Lebanon is an integral part of the broader ceasefire arrangement across all fronts.
“There will be no peace or stability in Lebanon and the region without ending the occupation and Israel’s commitment to international law,” Khatibzadeh added.
On the Strait of Hormuz, he said Iran would continue to provide navigation services in coordination with Oman and in accordance with international law.
He added that Tehran would not impose passage fees during the 60-day period outlined by the agreement, but said a new mechanism for managing the waterway would be introduced afterwards and presented to regional countries.
Khatibzadeh also said that any future agreement must include the release of all frozen Iranian funds.
Q&A
What did Iran's deputy foreign minister say about US negotiations?
Iran's deputy foreign minister stated that Tehran is ready to move forward with negotiations if the US shows seriousness in respecting their agreements.
Why were the US-Iran talks in Switzerland called off?
The talks were canceled reportedly due to intense fighting between Israel and Hezbollah in southern Lebanon.
What are the main issues outlined in the US-Iran memorandum of understanding?
The memorandum of understanding includes various issues that both sides aim to negotiate, though specific details were not disclosed in the statements.
