High-Level West Asia Peace Talks Begin in Zurich Under Trump-Pezeshkian Framework

Zurich: High-level talks are happening in Switzerland right now. US, Iran, Pakistan, all trying to work out a lasting peace deal for West Asia. US Vice President JD Vance is there. Iran's Parliament Speaker Mohammad Baqer Ghalibaf, Pakistan's PM Shehbaz Sharif, Qatar's representatives and all the major players placed in one room.

Are Iran's 6 billion dollars coming back?

Iran's President Masoud Pezeshkian made some big announcements about the deal. He said Iran's 6 billion dollars that Qatar has been holding, that's coming back under this agreement. He said the terms favour Iran. Said all the achievements from these talks will come out soon.

Trump changed his position?

Pezeshkian claimed that Trump, who was tough on Iran in recent speeches, has now accepted Iran's position on nuclear issues as a basic right. He said America only has one condition that the Iran shouldn't have nuclear bombs. Iran had accepted the terms. Trump again asked to write that down and sign it. And we did.

Netanyahu won't be happy?

Pezeshkian took a shot at Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu. He Said Netanyahu will be the most unhappy about these talks happening.

Who showed up?

Vice President Vance arrived in Zurich Sunday morning. Trump's special envoy Steve Bannon and advisor Jared Kushner were already there. Before leaving for Switzerland, Vance spoke to the media. Her said, "I talked to Jared and Steve this morning. From what I understand, things are moving in the right direction." Iran's delegation is led by Parliament Speaker Ghalibaf along with Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, deputy national security official Ali Bagheri Kani, and the central bank governor. Pakistan's PM Shehbaz Sharif arrived on Sunday too, along with army Chief General Asim Munir. Pakistan's foreign office said Pakistan will keep playing the mediator role to move forward on the agreement.

What happened before this?

Last week Trump and Iran's President Pezeshkian signed an agreement. They started a 60-day process to bring peace in West Asia. Pakistan helped like a broker and acted as the middleman and guarantor. Technical talks were supposed to start on June 19, but new fighting between Israel and Hezbollah delayed things.

What these talks are about?

It's all about to control Iran's nuclear program and turn the temporary ceasefire into a permanent peace agreement. After the US and Iran signed the initial deal, Iran opened the Strait of Hormuz, that critical shipping route where about 20 percent of the world's energy supply normally passes through. But on Saturday, Iran said they closed it again, citing the reason of Israeli attacks on Lebanon. They said Israel's breaking the ceasefire, so the deal's off the table for now.