The first moments of the U.S.-Iran talks in Switzerland saw Vice President JD Vance already seated when Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf and Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi entered, according to reports. Ghalibaf reportedly waited outside until media personnel left, and no handshake occurred between the delegations.
Sunday's U.S.-Iran talks at the Bürgenstock resort in Switzerland, among the highest-level face-to-face encounters between the two countries in years, opened with unusually tense protocol optics.
U.S. Vice President JD Vance led the American delegation, which included Jared Kushner, Steve Witkoff, and IAEA chief Rafael Grossi. Vance entered the meeting room while press was still present and was already seated when the Iranian delegation arrived. Iran's Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf — heading the Iranian team alongside Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi — reportedly delayed his entrance until media personnel had left the room. Araghchi also did not participate in a handshake, and no joint photograph was taken.
The refusal of a joint photo was later confirmed by Vance himself on Sunday evening, according to Amichai Stein (i24NEWS), who described it as a 'last minute' move by the Iranian side.
The Zioneer has previously reported on the delegation compositions and on Vance's stated desire for a 'new leaf' with Iran. The awkward opening underscores the fragile nature of the talks, as both sides seek a framework for negotiations against a backdrop of nuclear tensions.
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