US Special Envoy Steve Witkoff Heads to Switzerland for Talks with Iran

Washington - US Special Envoy Steve Witkoff is heading to Switzerland, where the first round of US-Iran negotiations on a potential nuclear deal is expected to take place, according to an Axios report citing an unnamed US official. Jared Kushner, son-in-law of US President Donald Trump, is already in Switzerland, the official said. The report noted it remains unclear whether a new schedule for the negotiations has been set. The talks were previously expected to begin on Friday (19 June), but were postponed due to fighting between Israel and the Lebanese Shia movement Hezbollah in Lebanon. The report also stated that the US delegation was expected to be led by US Vice President JD Vance, but he postponed his trip on Thursday (18 June), and it is unclear whether he will travel there this weekend. On 14 June, Iran and the US confirmed that the drafting of a memorandum of understanding had been completed. On the evening before 18 June, the two countries signed the document remotely, guaranteeing an end to the military conflict that began on 28 February. The memorandum will give both countries 60 days to negotiate a final agreement on Iran’s nuclear issue and US sanctions. Additionally, the memorandum sets a deadline for the US to lift its naval blockade and for Iran to restore shipping in the Strait of Hormuz.