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US Vice President JD Harris has expressed hope for progress in talks concerning Iran’s “nuclear issue” and matters related to Lebanon.
Direct negotiations between the US and Iran are underway in Switzerland to extend the ceasefire into a long-term peace agreement.
Vice President Harris has traveled to Switzerland for these talks.
The ceasefire, which began recently, has weakened, and Tehran, expressing anger over Israeli attacks on Hezbollah in Lebanon, announced the closure of the Strait of Hormuz on Saturday.
This announcement by Tehran violates the war termination agreement made with the US.
Hezbollah has accused Israel of exploiting these attacks to disrupt the US-Iran agreement.
However, the US military has denied these claims, stating, “The transport of goods for the equation continues uninterrupted.”
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An Iranian delegation led by Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi and Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf is also participating directly in the talks in Switzerland.
A new phase of talks is scheduled for Sunday. Before departing for the talks, Vice President Harris was questioned about the Israel-Hezbollah clashes and ongoing Israeli airstrikes in southern Lebanon.
“Actually, the situation there is improving and there is some measure of peace,” she said. “We must continue efforts to keep both Israel and Lebanon safe. The primary objective is to ensure complete security in our region.”
Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmail Baghaei stated, “Our side will urge the other party to fulfill its commitments.”
Pakistani Prime Minister and Army Chief to Participate in Talks
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The Pakistani Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif is also expected to participate, according to his office.
Pakistan has acted as a mediator throughout the conflict period, hosting previous phases of discussions.
Pakistani Army Chief Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir is also expected to join the talks.
A statement from the Prime Minister’s Office late Saturday announced, “The Prime Minister has departed for Switzerland from Islamabad with a high-level delegation.”
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The statement added, “The Prime Minister has departed for Switzerland from Islamabad with a high-level delegation.”
The presidents of the US and Iran have signed a preliminary agreement aimed at immediately ending the ongoing war in Lebanon.
The agreement includes a commitment to continue talks to finalize a full accord within the next 60 days.
Crisis Triggered by Israeli Attack in Lebanon
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However, clashes between Iranian-backed Hezbollah and Israel in southern Beirut have complicated the situation.
Lebanon’s Ministry of Health reported at least 47 fatalities from a series of airstrikes on Saturday.
The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) stated they attacked 80 Hezbollah-related sites and killed many members.
The IDF also confirmed the loss of four Israeli soldiers.
Continuous clashes had been occurring between Israel and Hezbollah even after the US-Iran agreement, with the ceasefire confirmed Friday afternoon.
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Before the agreement, Israel had no plans to withdraw troops from Lebanon and maintained that the conflict with Hezbollah is separate from the ongoing tensions with Iran.
Hezbollah claims that the Israeli attacks in Lebanon are an attempt to disrupt the US-Iran agreement.
The US government has criticized Israeli operations in Lebanon.
Hezbollah had been engaged in conflict after firing missiles into Israel in retaliation for a US-Israeli attack that targeted an Iranian supreme leader.
According to Lebanon’s Ministry of Health, since March 2, the renewed conflict has resulted in 4,057 deaths.
