Tehran, June 19: Iran has reportedly suspended its 60-day negotiation process with the United States less than a day after the two sides signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU), citing Israeli military strikes in southern Lebanon as a violation of the agreement.
According to Iranian media reports, Tehran has frozen the negotiation framework and postponed the first round of talks that was expected to be held in Switzerland.
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Iranian officials said the Israeli strikes violated the first clause of the newly signed MoU and maintained that negotiations would remain on hold until assurances are received that military operations in Lebanon have ceased and that Washington has fulfilled its commitments.
Reports said Iran’s delegation had been preparing to travel to Switzerland before the visit was abruptly cancelled.
Meanwhile, Iran’s Supreme National Security Council warned that Tehran would respond if the United States violated the terms of the agreement.
The development comes amid renewed fighting in southern Lebanon, where Israeli forces carried out overnight strikes. Lebanese media reported multiple casualties, while Hezbollah said intense clashes were continuing in the area.
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The postponement of the Switzerland talks marks a fresh setback to efforts aimed at reaching a permanent settlement to the Iran conflict.
