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US-Iran peace talks in Geneva postponed
🇵🇰 Pakistan /Conflict & Security

US-Iran peace talks in Geneva postponed

From Dawn · () English

Summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources Ongoing story
  • Peace talks between the US and Iran in Geneva, Switzerland, have been postponed.
  • The talks were scheduled under the 'Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding' signed earlier, aiming to end a conflict.
  • The postponement occurred as US Vice President JD Vance canceled his travel plans to Geneva, with logistical issues cited.

Switzerland announced that peace talks between the United States and Iran, scheduled to address a pact ending the Middle East conflict, will not proceed as planned on Friday. The postponement came as US Vice President JD Vance canceled his planned trip to Geneva, where the discussions were set to take place.

The logistics of these negotiations have never been simple or predictable. As of now, the vice president is not departing tonight.

— White House spokespersonThe spokesperson explained the reason for the postponement, citing logistical challenges.

The talks were intended to build upon the 'Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding' (MoU), a 14-point accord agreed upon by both nations earlier in the week. This agreement established a framework for ending the war, reopening the Strait of Hormuz, and initiating negotiations on key issues within a 60-day timeframe. The Swiss foreign ministry confirmed the postponement of the talks at the Burgenstock resort but provided no specific reasons.

We look forward to beginning technical talks as soon as possible.

— White House spokespersonThe spokesperson expressed the US's eagerness to resume negotiations.

In Washington, a White House spokesperson cited "logistical issues" as the reason for the delay, stating that the Vice President was no longer departing as scheduled. Despite the setback, the spokesperson expressed anticipation for beginning technical talks as soon as possible. Iran had previously indicated readiness for technical discussions following the 14-point accord, which extended a ceasefire for at least 60 days, contingent on signs of US implementation of the interim deal.

The planned talks between the US, Iran, Qatar and Pakistan have been postponed.

— Swiss foreign ministryThe Swiss foreign ministry confirmed the postponement of the multilateral talks.

Mediators Pakistan and Qatar, along with other involved countries, were expected to attend the negotiations. The planned talks and a potential formal signing ceremony in Geneva, initially hosted by Pakistan, faced cancellations and remote completion of the MoU signing. The conflict, which began on February 28, has resulted in significant casualties and disrupted energy prices.

Switzerland remains ready to facilitate these talks. The relevant preparatory work at Burgenstock is continuing.

— Swiss foreign ministryThe ministry affirmed Switzerland's continued commitment to hosting the negotiations.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Dawn. Summarized and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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