Iranian state media reported on Sunday that representatives of Tehran, Washington and Doha are holding a trilateral meeting in Switzerland to discuss the war between Israel and Hezbollah in Lebanon and the frozen assets of the Islamic Republic, on the sidelines of the upcoming talks within the framework of an understanding to end the conflict in the Middle East.
Iranian state television reported that "a trilateral meeting between Iran, the United States and Qatar on a comprehensive ceasefire in Lebanon and frozen Iranian assets is currently being held at the negotiating headquarters" in the central Swiss resort of Bürgenstock.
Tehran had confirmed that the talks would focus on several files, most notably the situation in southern Lebanon, where relative calm has prevailed on the ground since Saturday afternoon, after two days of escalation between Israel and Hezbollah, which threatened the US-Iranian understanding.
Vance told reporters at the Andrews base before heading to Europe: "I think we're going to make progress on the nuclear issue, we're going to make progress on the issue of a ceasefire in Lebanon. Those are the two main things that I think we will focus on," he said, adding that he would join the negotiations "for a day or two."
Bizshkian: You will not give up the right to enrich uranium
Iranian President Masoud Bezshakian said his country is not seeking a nuclear weapon, but will not give up its right to enrich uranium, ahead of negotiations between Tehran and Washington in Switzerland on Sunday as part of an understanding to end the war.
"What the United States is asking for is that Iran do not develop an atomic bomb, this is not new, and we can also confirm in writing that we have no intention of developing an atomic bomb," Bezishkian said.
"But we will not give up our right to enrichment, and the other side has no choice but to accept this right," he said, according to the presidency's website.
Bazshkian pointed outthat the clauses contained in the text of the memorandum of understanding with the United States are in the interest of his country, stressing that Iran's frozen funds in Qatar, amounting to $6 billion, will return to the Iranian treasury with the start of the negotiation process.
"The terms of the text of the memorandum of understanding with the United States are in the interest of our country, and with the start of the negotiation process today, our $6 billion frozen in Qatar funds will return to us," Bezshkian said in his speech.
Iran: Negotiations cannot begin unless the war on Lebanon ends
Esmail Baghaei, spokesman for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Iranian negotiating delegation, said that the start of negotiations on the final agreement with the United States is not possible unless the clause to end the war is implemented on all fronts, including Lebanon.
This came in a post on the "X" platform on Sunday, during which he provided an assessment of the upcoming talks between Tehran and Washington in Switzerland.
Baghaei explained that the start of negotiations on the final agreement is linked to the implementation of 5 items of the memorandum of understanding, adding that "according to Article 13 of the memorandum of understanding, the commencement of negotiations on the final agreement is linked to the implementation of the United States' obligations under clauses 1, 4, 5, 10 and 11."
"In particular, negotiations cannot begin unless the first item, which is related to ending the war on all fronts, including Lebanon, is implemented," he said, noting that his country is seriously pursuing the implementation of the commitments contained in the memorandum of understanding.
He indicated that the focus of the talks in Switzerland is to end the war on all fronts, including Lebanon, release frozen Iranian assets, and make the necessary arrangements to enable Iran to export oil.
Earlier on Sunday, Baghaei said in remarks that the Iranian negotiating delegation will first meet with mediators from Pakistan and Qatar, and a quadrilateral meeting will be held later that includes Iran, the United States, Pakistan and Qatar.
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