Vance begins talks in Switzerland with Iran to end war by saying US wants to 'transform' Middle East

Vice President JD Vance on Sunday began talks in Switzerland with Iran to end their roughly 4-month-long war by saying the United States wants to "transform" the Middle East. 

Vance arrived with a diplomatic corps that includes White House envoys Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff, tasked with finalizing within 60 days a memorandum of understanding signed last week by both sides. 

Officials from Pakistan, a Middle East country like Iran, are also in Switzerland negotiating the agreement. A key part of the agreement is to put an end to fighting in Lebanon between U.S. ally Israel and Iran proxy Hezzbollah. Both are also Middle East countries. 

Vance told reporters in Switzerland President Donald Trump’s hope for the region is that it’s “much different 10 years from now than it was 10 years ago,” though also pointing to Iran as the catalyst for Middle East violence, according to Politico.

“What we’re trying to accomplish here is something very simple,” he also said. “Through diplomacy, through working together to transform the Middle East … where Iran has been a driver of regional instability, now we see a future where everybody can work together to promote peace and prosperity for everyone.”