The opening of the US-Iran talks in Switzerland on Sunday was marked by a clumsy diplomatic second on the Burgenstock resort, the place Qatar Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani appeared to stroll previous US Vice President JD Vance. The assembly introduced collectively delegations from the US, Iran, Qatar and Pakistan for the primary spherical of negotiations underneath the lately signed Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding (MoU).
READ THIS: US and Iran agree on 60-day roadmap for ultimate deal after first spherical of talks in Switzerland
Footage from the venue appeared to point out Sheikh Mohammed approaching the reception space the place Vance was standing with different officers. As a substitute of stopping to greet him, the Qatari chief appeared to maneuver in direction of Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Military chief Asim Munir, greeting them warmly with handshakes and embraces. The second drew consideration as a result of Qatar is an in depth safety accomplice of the US and has additionally performed a key mediating position in regional conflicts, together with between Washington and Tehran.
The tense optics continued with Iran’s delegation, which reportedly declined to participate in a deliberate joint photograph alternative with US officers earlier than the talks started. The opening spherical additionally appeared to run into early turbulence, with Iranian media later reporting that Tehran’s delegation left the venue after round 80 minutes throughout what it described as a tough part in discussions.
Iran’s delegation additionally maintained a agency posture forward of the negotiations. Iranian International Minister Abbas Araqchi and chief negotiator Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf reportedly stayed away from the deliberate photograph alternative. Later footage confirmed Araqchi coming into a room the place Vance and members of the US delegation, together with particular envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, have been current. Araqchi greeted Sharif with a handshake and an embrace earlier than leaving shortly afterwards.
Iranian media mentioned the delegation’s departure adopted US President Donald Trump’s newest warnings towards Iran. The Switzerland assembly was the primary spherical of negotiations underneath the 14-point memorandum signed final week, which features a 60-day ceasefire extension and a roadmap in direction of a broader settlement.
Main points, together with Iran’s stockpile of extremely enriched uranium and different nuclear-related issues, stay unresolved, leaving the talks off to a tense begin.
