Switzerland: US-Iran truce talks to begin today as both parties arrive in Burgenstock
Burgenstock, June 21
Talks between Iran and the US is set to begin on Sunday as both parties have arrived in Swiss mountain resort of Burgenstock.
Swiss Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a post on X, "The US delegation, led by US Vice-President JD Vance, the Iranian delegation, led by the Speaker of the Iranian Parliament, Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, and the mediators, Pakistan and Qatar, have arrived at the Burgenstock. Talks between the parties are set to begin today."
Meanwhile, the Strait of Hormuz remains closed, a military source told Iranian media outlet, the Fars News Agency.
Fars News Agency's follow-ups from military sources indicated that the Strait of Hormuz remains closed, and the IRGC Navy is not issuing any permits for vessel passage until further notice.
The agency also said that this step is the first response to the 'breach of promise', and if the aggression continues, subsequent steps will be planned and taken to compel the other side to fulfill its commitments.
The closure comes as Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi met Swiss Foreign Minister Ignazio Cassis in Burgenstock during the Iranian delegation's first official engagement in Switzerland. The meeting reflected continued diplomatic consultations on bilateral and regional issues.
Earlier on Sunday, Israeli ambassador to the United Nations, Danny Danon, got in a shouting match with the UN's special representative for children and armed conflict, Vanessa Frazier, after she interrupted his remarks at Friday's meeting regarding allegations that Israeli soldiers and settlers committed sexual violence against Palestinians.
Spokesperson at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Iran, Esmaeil Baqaei said in a post on X, "This shameful exhibition of arrogant defiance -- against reason, law, morality, and justice -- is yet another inevitable result of the absolute impunity bestowed upon an apartheid terrorist regime by its enablers. This regime continues its genocidal campaign against the Palestinian people and throughout the region with utter disregard for all civilized norms. It is long past time for the world to rise and confront this grave, unprecedented threat to peace and humanity."
— ANI
Reader Comments
First they close the strait, then they talk? Classic Iranian tactic. But honestly, US has been arming Israel like crazy, so Iran's frustration is valid. Meanwhile, our own borders are burning. Why does the world forget Kashmir when discussing 'peace'? 😤
Interesting that Iran's speaker is leading talks, not their foreign minister. Must be a power play within their system. The Israeli ambassador shouting at UN meetings shows how tense things are. India must diversify energy sources fast – this crisis could get ugly.
As someone from the West, this feels like déjà vu. We've seen these talks before – they stall, tensions rise, nothing changes. The Strait closure is economic warfare. India and China will be hurt most. Maybe it's time for non-oil alternatives to be taken seriously.
Iran's statement about 'shameful exhibition of arrogant defiance' is spot on regarding Israel's UN behavior. But closing the strait hurts ordinary people everywhere, including Iranians. Diplomacy should not come at the cost of global stability. India should offer to mediate too – we have good relations with both sides.
Another day, another crisis in West Asia. Meanwhile, our petrol prices go up and nobody explains why. The PM should be more proactive in talks. Also, why is Pakistan mediating? They'll just create more problems. Hope India gets a seat at the table if this escalates. 🚩
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