Vice President JD Vance declared that the Trump administration’s goal is to “transform our relationship” with Iran during his opening remarks in Switzerland at Sunday’s meeting with top negotiators from Tehran.

Vance stressed that in order to do this, Washington needs ironclad commitments from the Islamic Republic to give up its aspirations of obtaining a nuclear weapon — something Tehran has long claimed it isn’t pursuing.

“What the president has asked us to do is turn over a new leaf to transform our relationship with the people of Iran, and to extend an outstretched hand that says to the people of Iran that if your leadership is willing to give up being a driver of regional instability,” Vance said.

“If they are willing to give up nuclear weapons ambitions for the long term, then the United States is willing to fundamentally transform our relationship with that country,” he went on. “That is certainly our goal.”

Vance’s remarks came as the first round of talks with Iran under the memorandum of understanding have kicked off in Switzerland. The talks had been delayed due to clashes between Israel and Hezbollah.

This is a developing story. Please check back for updates.