Iran Adds New Demands as U.S.-Iran Talks Begin in Switzerland

U.S.-Iran negotiations opened on Sunday in Birkenstock, Switzerland, with the first official session held as a three-way meeting that included Qatari mediators. According to reports, the discussion began with the issue of a ceasefire in Lebanon.

Iran reportedly linked any reopening of the Strait of Hormuz to an end to attacks on Hezbollah. Tehran also demanded that sanctions waivers be issued for Iranian oil. The reported conditions were presented at the start of the talks, signaling that Iran is bringing additional terms into the negotiations.

The Iranian news agency Tasnim, which is identified with the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, reported that Iranian representatives made clear the Strait of Hormuz would not be reopened until a ceasefire in Lebanon is achieved and sanctions exemptions for Iran's oil are granted.