A planned round of direct US-Iran talks in Switzerland has been postponed after Vice-President JD Vance delayed his trip, raising fresh uncertainty over a new agreement meant to ease tensions between Washington and Tehran and halt fighting linked to the wider regional conflict.
The White House said late Thursday that Vance would not travel for the discussions, saying the logistics had not been “simple or predictable.” The delay came one day after the US lifted its naval blockade of Iran following the signing of a deal aimed at ending the conflict.
Deadly Lebanon Strikes Test Ceasefire Push
The agreement also called for fighting to stop in Lebanon. But Lebanon’s health ministry said Israeli airstrikes killed at least 18 people in the south overnight. Officials said 33 others were injured and several buildings were hit.
Lebanon’s state news agency described the bombardment as one of the heaviest of the war. The Israel Defense Forces said it targeted infrastructure and individuals connected to Hezbollah. Israel also said four of its soldiers were killed.
Hours before the White House statement, Hezbollah-linked Lebanese media reported that the US-Iran talks had been suspended because of continued Israeli airstrikes.
US-Iran Deal Includes Nuclear And Sanctions Commitments
Negotiators had been expected to meet for what US officials described as “technical discussions” on implementing the agreement signed earlier this week. Washington said the plans had “not been finalised,” while adding that the US looked forward to “beginning technical talks as soon as possible.”
Switzerland’s foreign ministry confirmed the talks at the Burgenstock resort had been “postponed,” though preparations were continuing. Swiss military and police had been guarding the luxury mountaintop hotel overlooking Lake Lucerne, where a media centre had also been arranged.
The talks were expected to address implementation of the Memorandum of Understanding and longer-term issues, including Iran’s nuclear programme. The 14-point deal includes reopening the Strait of Hormuz, a commitment that Iran will never have a nuclear weapon, a US$300bn reconstruction plan for Iran, and the US ending “all types of sanctions” on Tehran.
The agreement requires both sides to reach a final deal within a “maximum” of 60 days, with an extension possible by mutual consent.
Iran’s Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei said he approved the deal despite having a “different view,” claiming Trump had “out of desperation, used all kinds of leverage” to secure it. He said future “in-person negotiations” with Washington would “not mean acceptance of the enemy’s position”.
Israel-Hezbollah Fighting Continues
President Trump has said he expected a ceasefire to apply “on all fronts,” including between Israel and Hezbollah in Lebanon. But both sides have continued attacks since the deal was announced.
After the deaths of four Israeli soldiers, Israel’s far-right National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir said that “all of Lebanon must burn”.
“With all due respect to the Americans, Israel must make it clear to the entire world that the blood of our sons and the security of our citizens are not up for bargaining,” he wrote on X.
Vance had criticized some members of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s cabinet on Thursday, including Ben-Gvir, telling reporters Israel should “wake up and smell the reality”.
Lebanon became part of the war after Hezbollah fired rockets into Israel in response to a strike that killed Iran’s supreme leader. Israel then launched airstrikes across Lebanon and moved into much of the south to push Hezbollah fighters away from its northern border.
Lebanese health authorities say more than 3,900 people have been killed in Israeli attacks, including women and children. Israeli authorities say at least 30 soldiers and four civilians have been killed on both sides of the border.
