Iran says can't enter final US deal talks without end to Lebanon war

TEHRAN, Jun 21: Iran warned on Sunday that it would not enter into talks on a broader agreement with the United States unless the war in Lebanon comes to an end.

"Without the implementation of these provisions, especially paragraph 1 (termination of the war on all fronts, including Lebanon), entry into the negotiation phase for the final agreement is not possible," foreign ministry spokesman EsmaeilBaqaei wrote on X, referring to a provision in the initial deal between Tehran and Washington.

Iran's Tasnim news agency, citing a source close to the negotiating team, reported on Sunday that the Strait of Hormuz would not be reopened as long as a ceasefire in Lebanon was not respected.

The source said the waterway would also remain closed until waivers allowing the sale of Iranian oil were issued.

It merits mention here that negotiators from the United States and Iran were set to start peace talks in Switzerland on Sunday, even as US officials disputed Iranian claims about closing the key Strait of Hormuz.

High-level officials from Iran arrived in Switzerland for peace talks with the US, Iranian state media reported, as US Vice President JD Vance departed Washington for meetings that Pakistan said will begin on Sunday.

Although the US and Iran had agreed to a 60-day ceasefire while negotiations take place, Tehran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps on Saturday declared the Strait of Hormuz shut, though the US military said commercial vessels had continued operating in the waterway.�"AGENCIES