Iran delegation, led by Speaker Ghalibaf, arrives in Switzerland for first round of technical talks with US
Zurich, June 21
The Iranian delegation led by Parliament Speaker and Chief Negotiator MB Ghalibaf has arrived in the Swiss capital of Zurich on Saturday for the first round of technical talks with the US as part of the 14-point memorandum of understanding reached between the two sides to end the hostilities in West Asia, Iranian state media Press TV reported.
According to Press TV, the negotiation team is named "Minab 168" in honour of the victims of the Minab school incident, which Iranian officials have previously highlighted in diplomatic and political messaging during international engagements.
This comes as US Vice President JD Vance has also departed for Switzerland for negotiations with Iran following the signing of the MoU on Wednesday.
Citing a source, Axios reported Vance's potential participation in the talks.
Trump and Iran's President Masoud Pezeshkian virtually signed the memorandum of understanding (MoU) on Wednesday aimed at ending hostilities between the two countries, reopening the Strait of Hormuz and launching negotiations on a broader agreement, including the talks on Iran's nuclear programme.
Meanwhile, US envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner are already in Switzerland, where the first round of talks with Iran on a potential nuclear deal is expected to take place on Sunday, US officials told Axios.
The Iranian delegation left Tehran shortly after the Iranian armed forces announced the closure of the Strait of Hormuz in response to violations of the ceasefire by Israel in Lebanon, which was an "integral part" of the MoU between the two sides.
Qatar's Prime Minister and Foreign Minister, Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, also arrived in Switzerland on Friday, as Qatar is considered one of the principal mediators facilitating contacts between Washington and Tehran.
— ANI
Reader Comments
The "Minab 168" naming is a clever diplomatic touch - using the school tragedy to humanize their negotiating stance. We should take note how Iran uses emotional symbolism in international talks. That said, I'm cautiously optimistic about this MoU; West Asia peace benefits everyone, including India's energy security and our diaspora in the Gulf.
Honestly, how many rounds of talks have we seen between US and Iran? Nothing ever changes. Meanwhile, India's Chabahar port project keeps getting delayed because of these tensions. Actions speak louder than words - let's see if this time is different. Also, Trump and Pezeshkian signing virtually? That's peak 2025 diplomacy! 🤦♂️
Good to see Qatar playing mediator again - they've been effective in such situations. But linking Israel ceasefire violations to Strait of Hormuz closure seems risky. India should quietly be pushing all sides for de-escalation; our foreign policy has always favoured dialogue over conflict. Hope this works out.
As someone who follows international affairs, the inclusion of JD Vance is notable. He's been hawkish against Iran in the past. Will he push for nuclear concessions or broader regional issues? The 14-point MoU sounds comprehensive, but the devil is always in the details. Switzerland is a good neutral venue though.
A small critique: why are the talks happening in Zurich of all places? So cliché! But in all seriousness, this is a crucial moment for West Asia. For India, any reduction in tensions means cheaper crude, safer shipping lanes and better prospects for our workers in UAE and Saudi Arabia. Fingers crossed! 🤞