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World
US special envoy Steve Witkoff is traveling to Switzerland to initiate nuclear negotiations with Iran, where Jared Kushner is already present amid efforts to resume talks.
Steve Witkoff, the special envoy of the US president, is en route to Switzerland where the first round of negotiations between the United States and Iran concerning a potential nuclear agreement is expected to take place, according to Axios.
The website reported early Saturday, citing a knowledgeable source, that Jared Kushner, the US president’s son-in-law, is already in Switzerland, signaling a US move to restart the negotiation process following the digital signing of a memorandum of understanding between Washington and Tehran.
It remains unclear whether other US officials will travel to Switzerland amid uncertainty about when the negotiation phase will begin. This phase aims to reach a final agreement within 60 days addressing Iran’s nuclear program, sanctions on Tehran, frozen assets, and guarantees to halt escalation.
The initial meeting between US and Iranian representatives was scheduled for June 19 in Switzerland, with mediators from Pakistan and Qatar participating. However, the Swiss Foreign Ministry announced early Friday the cancellation of the technical talks planned for the same day after the White House postponed the visit of US Vice President J.D. Vance to Switzerland.
The White House stated early Friday that Vance’s trip, during which he was expected to lead the US delegation, was postponed due to "logistical complications," adding that Washington "looks forward to starting technical talks as soon as possible."
The Iranian Foreign Ministry also announced the postponement of Friday’s meeting in Switzerland, noting that arrangements are underway to hold talks in the coming days.
Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmail Baqaei said that negotiations related to the final agreement will depend on the commencement and continued adherence to specific provisions in the memorandum of understanding.
These developments come amid international anticipation regarding the US-Iran understanding. The memorandum is expected to end the conflict and open the door for broader negotiations, while ongoing issues such as Lebanon, the Strait of Hormuz, and the nuclear dossier remain key tests of the agreement’s seriousness.
On the night of June 18, Iran and the United States signed a remote memorandum of understanding stipulating the end of the military conflict that began on February 28, lifting the naval blockade on Iranian ports, and restoring navigation through the Strait of Hormuz. The memorandum also sets a 60-day timetable for negotiations concerning Iran’s nuclear program.
