US Vice President Vance departs for Switzerland [AP=Yonhap News]

US Vice President JD Vance departed for Switzerland on the 21st (local time) to attend direct negotiations between the United States and Iran.

Vice President Vance left Andrews Joint Base near Washington D.C. on the same day to lead follow-up working-level negotiations following the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MOU) for a ceasefire between the US and Iran.

Before heading to Switzerland, Vice President Vance met with reporters and stated, "Contrary to reports, the situation is actually improving and somewhat calming down," regarding the situation between Israel and Lebanon. He added, "This issue, ensuring the safety and stability of both Israel and Lebanon, is something we must continue to manage."

Vice President Vance expressed hope for progress on the nuclear issue and the Lebanon ceasefire, stating, "These two are the core issues we must focus on."

Earlier, Pakistan, which is mediating the ceasefire negotiations between the US and Iran, announced on the 21st that direct talks between the two countries would be held in Switzerland, and that Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, who has been mediating, departed for Switzerland on the same day.

Vice President Vance stated that Steve Wicoff, the Special Envoy for Middle East affairs, who is part of the US negotiation team, and Jared Kushner, the eldest son-in-law of President Donald Trump, have already arrived in Switzerland, and the Iranian negotiation delegation has also arrived on-site in Switzerland.

The US and Iran were scheduled to hold their first working-level negotiations in Switzerland to discuss issues such as the nuclear program and the lifting of sanctions after the signing of the MOU. However, the schedule was postponed due to ongoing clashes between Israel and the Iran-backed Hezbollah in Lebanon.

Subsequently, Iran declared a re-blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, citing a violation of the MOU. However, the US military stated that the strait is not currently blocked.