Heads to Islamabad for peace talks
WASHINGTON: US Vice President JD Vance on Friday warned Iran against any attempt to “play” the United States as he departed for Islamabad to hold peace negotiations.
Ahead of his departure, Vance told reporters that Washington is willing to extend “open hand” if the Iranians are ready to negotiate in good faith.
“We’re looking forward to the negotiation. I think it’s going to be positive. As the President of the United States said, if the Iranians are willing to negotiate in good faith, we’re certainly willing to extend the open hand. If they’re going to try to play us, then they’re going to find that the negotiating team is not that receptive,” Vance told reporters.
He said that US President Donald Trump has given clear instructions and that Washington will try to have a positive negotiation with the Iranians.
“We going to try to have a positive negotiation. The President has given us some pretty clear guidelines, and we’re going to see…,” the US veep said.
The US and Iran are set to hold negotiations on ending the war. The two countries have announced a two-week ceasefire to give diplomacy a chance in ending the conflict.
However, key elements of the Islamabad talks are still unclear as officials have not yet released a detailed schedule.
Meanwhile, Iran has made it clear that dialogue with the US will not move forward unless violence in Lebanon stops.
Citing officials, Iranian Tasnim news agency said that negotiations would remain suspended until Israeli attacks end and the US honours its commitment to a ceasefire.
Fars News Agency also rejected the claims, saying Tehran has no plan to join any peace talks with the US until a ceasefire is in place in Lebanon.
Agencies