Iran-US Peace Agreement Postponed; US Vice President Jody Hens Unable to Travel to Switzerland
The visit of US Vice President Jody Hens to Switzerland for peace talks between the United States and Iran has been cancelled at the last minute. Following the deaths of four Israeli soldiers, Israeli Security Minister Ben-Gvir made a controversial statement calling for “all of Lebanon to burn.” The Israeli military’s attacks in various areas of southern Lebanon have resulted in at least 18 fatalities. June 19, Kathmandu.
On Thursday, a peace agreement was signed between the US and Iran in France. Although both countries planned to begin discussions in Switzerland today on the terms of the agreement, Vice President Hens’s visit was abruptly called off. According to reports by The Guardian, the decision was made as soon as the Vice President and her team arrived at the airport. Dozens of White House officials and foreign journalists were already present in Switzerland in anticipation of the visit.
Media reports suggest that the primary reason for postponing Hens’s visit may be Iran’s demands related to Lebanon. The agreement includes a commitment to end all hostilities, encompassing the conflict in Lebanon as well. However, ongoing Israeli attacks in Lebanon have intensified tensions surrounding the talks.
In a provocative statement, Israel’s hardline Security Minister Ben-Gvir said that after the deaths of four Israeli soldiers in southern Lebanon, “all of Lebanon must burn.” French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian has urged Israel to halt military operations in Lebanon and called on the United States to increase pressure on Israel.
In southern Lebanon’s village of Kfar Tebnit, a Hezbollah drone attack injured five Israeli soldiers, one of whom is in serious condition. In a previous strike in the same area, four Israeli soldiers, including 32-year-old Tank Battalion Commander Lieutenant Colonel Dor Gedalia Ben Simhon, were killed. On Friday, the Israeli military launched attacks on various locations in southern Lebanon. According to the Lebanese official news agency, at least 18 people have died in these assaults. Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu has declared that Israeli troops will remain in Lebanon until the threat from Hezbollah is eliminated.
