Iran's Tasnim news agency reported Sunday that the Iranian delegation refused to join a group photo with the U.S. team during their meeting in Switzerland. Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf, who leads the delegation, declined to enter the talks room as long as the press conference continued, according to the report.
Iranian state media reported Sunday that the Iranian delegation refused to take part in a joint photo with the American team during their meeting in Switzerland. The report by Tasnim news agency, carried by Israeli channels, said that Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf, who leads the delegation, declined to enter the talks room while the press conference was ongoing.
This incident follows a pattern of Iranian resistance to symbolic gestures of engagement. As The Zioneer reported earlier Sunday, Iranian negotiators had already refused a planned handshake and joint photo at the start of a meeting the same day. Days earlier, Iranian media warned that U.S. officials would avoid being photographed with Iranians — a concern that appears to have manifested in the form of an Iranian refusal.
The talks in Switzerland are part of indirect negotiations between Iran and the United States, mediated through Swiss channels, focused on a memorandum of understanding rather than formal nuclear talks. Iran has insisted that the nuclear issue will not be discussed at this round. The Iranian delegation is led by Qalibaf, with Vice President JD Vance heading the American side.
The refusal to pose together underscores the continued tension and mutual suspicion between the sides, even as diplomatic contacts proceed.
3 developments
- StrongIran names parliament speaker Qalibaf to lead delegation for Friday MOU signing in Switzerland
- DevelopingIran's state TV says no nuclear talks at Switzerland meeting
- DevelopingIranian Khorasan daily warns US officials will avoid joint photos with Iranian counterparts in Geneva
- DevelopingIran names full delegation for Friday talks in Switzerland with Vance leading US team
Source and signal
- Internal intake