Iran delegation rejects photo op with US at nuclear talks

Iran's delegation rejected a planned photo session with the U.S. at the start of nuclear negotiations in Geneva, according to a source close to the Iranian team. The U.S. and organizers had initially scheduled a handshake and photo opportunity, but the Iranian delegation refused to attend.

This refusal led to the cancellation of the live broadcast and the photo session. The Iranian delegation then entered the meeting room. The source indicated that the U.S. delegation requested a five-minute delay for journalists to leave the negotiation room before the pre-negotiation ceremony proceeded without Iran's presence.

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Implementing a document is far more important than just signing it.

Iran's Foreign Ministry spokesperson stated that Tehran's participation in the Swiss talks aims to ensure the implementation of the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding (MoU). He emphasized that negotiations for a final agreement cannot begin until the five main points of the document are executed. Esmaeil Baqaei, spokesperson for the Iranian delegation led by Parliament Speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf, explained that the one-day agenda included separate meetings with mediators from Qatar and Pakistan, followed by a quadrilateral meeting with representatives from Iran, the U.S., Qatar, and Pakistan.

Baqaei stressed that Iran has been closely monitoring the implementation of the MoU since its signing. "Implementing a document is far more important than just signing it," he stated. "The diplomatic process to achieve a result is one thing, but the much more important issue is ensuring its implementation."

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The diplomatic process to achieve a result is one thing, but the much more important issue is ensuring its implementation.