U.S. And Iran Exchange Blows, Suspending Talks in Switzerland After IRGC Attacks in Kuwait and Bahrain

U.S.–Iran talks scheduled for next week in Switzerland were suspended, the Wall Street Journal reported on Sunday, citing the latest round of hostilities between the two sides as the main reason for the halt.

“Iranian President Masoud Bezhkian said that the memorandum of understanding with the United States represents a 'historic document' and a message from Iran that peace is achieved under mutual respect, stressing that Iran is committed to global peace and to strengthening regional cooperation while preserving its dignity and independence”

El-Nashra

Shafaq News said the technical meetings had been planned to discuss mechanisms for implementing the recently signed Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), covering Tehran’s nuclear program, sanctions relief, and arrangements for the release of frozen Iranian assets.

El-Nashra

The same report said the two sides exchanged conflicting statements on issues including the use of released Iranian funds, the return of International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) inspectors, and maritime security in the Strait of Hormuz.

Shafaq News added that the U.S. and Iran exchanged blows on Sunday, extending fighting around Hormuz into a third day, after Washington previously accused Tehran of carrying out drone attacks on an oil tanker near the maritime gateway and striking several sites inside Iran.

The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) denied the allegations and launched attacks on several U.S. military positions in Kuwait and Bahrain in retaliation, while U.S. President Donald Trump described Iran as making “very large concessions” and Tehran dismissed his claims about how unfrozen funds would be used for purchases of American goods.

Iranian President Masoud Bezhkian said the memorandum of understanding with the United States is a “historic document” and a message from Iran that peace is achieved under mutual respect.

Elnashra reported that Bezhkian said the negotiations with Washington created economic opportunities and reduced tensions in the region, especially in Lebanon, and also said “Six billion dollars of our frozen assets in Qatar will be released.”

France 24

The same source said Bezhkian stressed that Iran is committed to global peace and strengthening regional cooperation while preserving its dignity and independence, and that “All provisions of the memorandum of understanding serve our interests.”

Elnashra also quoted Araqchi saying that the violation by the United States and the Zionist entity of the memorandum of understanding, especially the first clause, hinders restoring regional security.

In parallel, the Shafaq News report described U.S. President Donald Trump’s claim that Tehran is “agreeing to everything I want,” while Iranian officials dismissed his assertions about unfrozen funds and purchases of American goods.

France 24 said the United States published the full text of a provisional memorandum of understanding with Iran, describing it as aimed at stopping the war, resuming navigation through the Strait of Hormuz, and launching negotiations lasting 60 days to reach a final agreement.

“Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has said that any agreement between Iran and the United States must be rooted in mutual respect and reciprocal commitments, not threats or one-sided pressure”

PressTV

The same France 24 account said the 14-clause memorandum included mutual commitments to halt military operations, lift the U.S. maritime blockade on Iran, and issue exemptions allowing the resumption of Iranian oil exports, while postponing the more complex nuclear issues to negotiations lasting 60 days.

Ammon reported that Bezhkian said Iran will adhere to the memorandum of understanding if America commits to it, writing on X: “Mutual understanding is a two-way street. If the American side adheres to the agreement, we will also fulfill our commitments.”

Ammon added that Trump said Iranian authorities requested a meeting to be held on Tuesday in Doha, while Tehran announced that a technical delegation would visit Qatar this week to follow up on implementation of the memorandum of understanding.

Ammon further said White House spokesperson Karoline Leavitt stated that envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner will head to Doha for high-level meetings this week, while an AFP-cited diplomat said “technical teams will meet in the coming days,” and an American official said “the talks in all areas of the memorandum of understanding are expected to continue,” with ships able to move freely in and around the Strait of Hormuz.