Iran’s negotiating team has refused a planned exchange of handshakes and a group photograph with the US team before talks began in Switzerland, according to Al Jazeera.

Iran’s semi-official Tasnim news agency reported the refusal, citing an unnamed “source close to the negotiations”.

US officials and meeting organisers had arranged for a handshake and photo between the two sides at the start of the multilateral talks in Burgenstock. However, the head of the Iranian delegation opposed the plan, Tasnim says.

Following Iran’s refusal, a live TV broadcast and photo session proceeded without the Iranian delegation. The Iranians entered the venue only after the media event concluded. The US delegation requested a five-minute delay to allow journalists to leave the negotiation room before the talks began, the news report adds.