Reports that negotiations between the United States and Iran were allegedly disrupted and that Tehran demands an apology for statements by US President Donald Trump about possible new strikes on the republic are not true, the White House press pool says.
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Technical talks between Iran and the United States with the participation of intermediary countries Pakistan and Qatar were held in Burgenstock, Switzerland, on Sunday. Against the background of the meetings, Trump threatened Iran with new strikes if it did not force the pro-Iranian groups in Lebanon to stop “creating problems.” Later, the media reported that the Iranian negotiating team left the talks because of Trump’s words and did not intend to return to discussions until the American president apologized.
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“Contrary to the widespread false information, the Iranians are still here (in Switzerland) and negotiations are continuing,” Pool quoted an unnamed U.S. official as saying during the talks.
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The official noted that during the talks, issues of Tehran’s nuclear program, shipping in the Strait of Hormuz and a mechanism for establishing a ceasefire in southern Lebanon were discussed.
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“There have been active discussions on all elements of the nuclear deal. We plan to continue working on each of these issues and use the results of the discussions as a starting point for continuing technical negotiations in the future,” the official said.
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On Monday, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi said that an Iranian delegation had left for Tehran after talks with the United States in Switzerland. He noted that the delegation, led by Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, held 18-hour consultations.
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Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Ismail Bagai announced progress in negotiations with the United States in Switzerland, and technical groups will continue to work to implement the memorandum of understanding, with details to be released by Qatar and Pakistan.
