U.S.-Iran Technical Talks Open in Switzerland as Iran Claims Hormuz Closure and 16 Die in Lebanon
Updated
Updated · PBS NewsHour · Jun 20
U.S.-Iran Technical Talks Open in Switzerland as Iran Claims Hormuz Closure and 16 Die in Lebanon
3 articles · Updated · PBS NewsHour · Jun 20
Summary
Technical-level U.S.-Iran talks are set to begin Sunday in Burgenstock, Switzerland, with Pakistani and Qatari mediation, after Iran's delegation finally departed Tehran a day later than planned.
Iran tied the negotiations to the war in Lebanon, saying little progress is likely unless fighting stops and warning the interim accord could be jeopardized if Washington fails to uphold commitments.
The talks opened amid a dispute over the Strait of Hormuz: Iran said it had closed the waterway, while U.S. Central Command said 55 merchant ships carrying more than 17 million barrels of oil transited Saturday.
In southern Lebanon, Israeli strikes killed at least 16 people, including two children, despite ceasefire claims; Hezbollah said it would halt fire if Israel does, while Israel reported more than 50 projectiles overnight.
The interim U.S.-Iran deal gives negotiators 60 days to reach a nuclear agreement, but the Lebanon fighting threatens to sink it because neither Israel nor Hezbollah is a signatory.