|
|
|
|
|
Getty Images/Getty Images
|
|
|
|
|
|
Kareem Chehayeb And Bassem Mroue
|
|
|
|
Dubai, United Arab Emirates
|
|
|
Iran dealt two quick blows to the interim agreement with the United States on Saturday, angered by Israel’s continued attacks in Lebanon, saying it had closed the Strait of Hormuz again and announcing that while its negotiators are going to Switzerland for talks, not much is likely to happen there.
|
|
|
First, Iran’s joint military command said the strait had been closed, citing Israeli attacks and U.S. “bad faith” and “its clear breach of its commitments” by failing to end the war.
|
|
|
The statement on state television warned that “if the aggression continues, subsequent steps have been planned.”
|
|
|
Minutes later, the state broadcaster said the country’s negotiating team was heading to Switzerland, a trip that was originally planned for Friday but was cancelled.
|
|
|
Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmail Bagahei, however, signalled that little might happen until Iran feels the U.S. is living up to the deal.
|
|
|
“This trip is therefore about demanding that the other side fulfill its obligations,” he said, adding that negotiations toward a final agreement will begin only once key commitments, including an end to fighting in Lebanon, are upheld.
|
|
|
|
|