In a clear diplomatic signal, Iranian negotiators on Sunday boycotted the planned ceremonial handshake and joint photograph with the United States delegation ahead of high-level talks in Geneva, Switzerland. According to informed sources cited by Iran’s Tasnim News Agency, Tehran formally rejected repeated requests from the US side and organisers to stage a joint media appearance.
⚡️🇮🇷🇺🇸 — Iranian negotiators boycott the ceremonial handshake and joint photo session in Geneva, compelling organizers to proceed with the broadcast in their absence — Tasnim citing informed sources.
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➡️ Tehran blocked U.S. and organizer attempts to stage a joint appearance, with… pic.twitter.com/kThizV41PU
The US delegation had sought a short window, reportedly around five minutes, for journalists to record the interaction before substantive discussions began. Iranian officials turned down this proposal, underscoring Tehran’s unwillingness to participate in any symbolic gestures that could be portrayed domestically as undue closeness with Washington.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi and the negotiating team informed organisers that they would not participate in any joint photo session with the US delegation. Following Iran’s refusal, the live broadcast and photo ceremony proceeded without the Iranian delegation. The US delegates, led by Vice President JD Vance, posed for photographs with the leaders of Pakistan and Qatar, who are attending the talks are mediators.
The Iranian team entered the venue only after the media event and photo session had concluded. The episode took place at the Burgenstock resort, where both sides gathered for technical negotiations linked to the implementation of the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding signed earlier this month.
The US delegates, led by Vice President JD Vance, posed for photographs with the leaders of Pakistan and Qatar, who are attending the talks as mediators.
The meeting in Switzerland forms part of efforts to operationalise the recent US-Iran framework aimed at ending hostilities across the Middle East, enforcing a ceasefire, facilitating the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, Iran’s nuclear program, and addressing related regional stability issues. An Iranian delegation led by Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi arrived in Switzerland late on Saturday. Araghchi held initial talks with Swiss Foreign Minister Ignazio Cassis, marking the first official engagement upon arrival. US Vice President JD Vance also reached the venue on Sunday for the discussions.
