🚨 U.S.-IRAN TALKS FROZEN AS TEHRAN TIES NEGOTIATIONS TO A LEBANON CEASEFIRE, THREATENS TO KEEP THE STRAIT OF HORMUZ CLOSED
🔸 U.S.-IRAN TALKS POSTPONED: Vice President J.D. Vance postponed his planned trip to Switzerland for direct U.S.-Iran negotiations.
While the White House publicly cited “logistics,” with Vance saying plans “hadn’t been finalized” due to possible Iranian “technical challenges with their travel arrangements,” a U.S. official said the freeze was directly connected to the fighting between Israel and Hezbollah.
The Swiss Foreign Ministry confirmed the planned diplomatic negotiations between the United States and Iran would not take place today. The suspension followed Vance’s cancellation of his trip to Switzerland to lead the American delegation.
Iran’s Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei authorized direct negotiations but emphasized that the mandate “does not signify acceptance of the enemy’s views.”
Khamenei also stated:
“The direct negotiations that will take place in the future will not, under any circumstances, mean giving in to the enemy’s opinion.”
Chief negotiator Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf pledged to maintain Iran’s red lines.
Pakistan’s Foreign Minister stated that the talks are delayed due to Muharram rituals, said no structural obstacles exist, and set a 60-day completion target. Pakistan also warned that Israeli airstrikes in Lebanon could jeopardize the U.S.-Iran meeting and prompted urgent calls for Washington to pressure Israel to cease operations.
Regional markets showed volatility in gold and oil.
Iran has reportedly demanded assurances that hostilities in Lebanon will end before negotiations resume.
According to CNN-cited diplomatic sources, Washington signaled to Tehran that Israel will halt further Lebanon strikes following Hezbollah ceasefire violations.
Washington reportedly relayed that Israel “agreed to let it be” regarding current operations, shifting the onus to Hezbollah for immediate de-escalation. The status of the postponed technical discussions remains unconfirmed as the U.S. attempts to stabilize regional volatility.
Lebanese MP Hassan Fadlallah told Reuters:
“Iran informed us that negotiations with the U.S. cannot continue unless a comprehensive ceasefire is reached.”
Iran’s Foreign Ministry warned:
“We warn of the serious consequences resulting from Israel’s continued policy of fueling conflicts and wars. The US bears direct responsibility for the Israeli attacks on Lebanon. We will take all necessary measures to protect our interests and our allies.”
⚓ IRAN THREATENS STRAIT OF HORMUZ: Iran’s Navy announced the closure of the Strait of Hormuz until further notice following the escalation in Lebanon.
An IRGC Navy broadcast on VHF channel 16 declared:
“A complete ceasefire in Lebanon and Israeli withdrawal from Lebanese territory were part of the US-Iran memorandum of understanding. Until these conditions are met, the Strait of Hormuz will remain closed. All vessels are ordered to avoid the Strait for their own safety. Any vessel that defies this order will be targeted.”
Iran continued to link future negotiations with developments in Lebanon, with Tehran reportedly warning mediators that “the Lebanon file is key for Iran in holding, continuing, or stopping the negotiations.”
Iran’s Supreme National Security Council stated it would not show “any leniency” until the “pure and sacred blood of our martyred leader is avenged.”
The council said it was operating with “complete distrust of the treacherous and treaty-breaking enemy” and warned:
“if any violation or breach occurs by the American side, according to the predetermined plan, a countermeasure will be taken.”
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