US, Iran begin talks in Switzerland with Lebanon crisis as urgent agenda item

The United States and Iran commenced follow-up negotiations in Switzerland on June 21, just four days after signing a memorandum of understanding. The talks, which were delayed by two days due to intense external pressures, began amid a heated exchange of rhetoric. Iran had declared a blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, citing Israel's military operations in Lebanon as a violation of the MOU's clause on ceasing military actions on all fronts.

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This is a historic meeting. The goal is to change the relationship with Iran through a new beginning.

US Vice President J.D. Vance, Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff, and Jared Kushner represented the United States at the meeting in Bürgenstock, Switzerland. They were joined by Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Army Chief Asim Munir, and a Qatari delegation. The Iranian delegation was led by Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf and included Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, along with senior economic officials from the Central Bank and the National Iranian Oil Company.

The negotiations are taking place under significant tension surrounding the Strait of Hormuz. Iran's Central Military Command announced a halt to passage through the strait, asserting that Israel's military actions in Lebanon breached Article 1 of the US-Iran MOU, which mandates an immediate and permanent cessation of military operations on all fronts. The US, however, countered that Iran's announcement had not resulted in an actual physical blockade, with the US Central Command monitoring continued maritime traffic.

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This meeting is to review the implementation of the memorandum of understanding, and especially, if the war is not ended on all fronts, including Lebanon, we cannot enter into negotiations for a final agreement.

The Lebanon front has emerged as the primary destabilizing factor in the negotiations. Although the US-Iran MOU stipulates a halt to military operations, neither Israel nor Hezbollah, the direct parties involved in the Lebanon conflict, are signatories to the agreement. Despite a fragile ceasefire agreement reached on Friday, both sides have continued attacks, each framing their actions as defensive. This dynamic has led to repeated clashes, with Israel claiming it responded to over 50 projectiles fired by Hezbollah, while Hezbollah stated it was thwarting Israeli attempts to expand into occupied territory.

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There are no restrictions on operations in the security zone in Lebanon. The Israeli army will not withdraw from the security zone in Lebanon.

Lebanon was a central agenda item at the Swiss meeting, with Vice President Vance identifying "progress in the nuclear issue and the Lebanon ceasefire" as two key objectives. Iran had emphasized the cessation of hostilities in Lebanon as a precondition for the final agreement negotiations. Esmaeil Baghaei, spokesperson for the Iranian Foreign Ministry, stated that without an end to the war in Lebanon and other fronts, negotiations for a final agreement could not proceed. Meanwhile, Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz maintained a firm stance, declaring no restrictions on operations in Lebanon and asserting that Israeli forces would not withdraw from the "security zone."

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Iran must immediately stop its proxies in Lebanon from causing trouble. Otherwise, we will hit Iran very hard again, just like last week.