Swiss signing ceremony in doubt as Iran, U.S. and partners spar over implementation

The planned first meeting on a U.S.-Iran agreement in Switzerland is facing possible disruption, even after President Donald Trump signed the deal. Pakistan’s prime minister, Shehbaz Sharif, canceled his trip to the Burgenstock resort near Lucerne, while Vice President JD Vance said he may still travel but is not certain when. In Lebanon, reports said the Iranian negotiating delegation suspended its departure because of Israeli strikes in southern Lebanon. A Hezbollah-linked source told Al-Mayadeen that Tehran had informed Washington and the mediators that the Lebanese issue is central to whether talks continue.

Nabih Berri, speaker of the Lebanese parliament, said he was repeating Hezbollah’s commitment to a ceasefire, “as long as Israel adheres to it.” His remarks came after Trump and Vance sharply criticized Israel over a strike in Beirut’s Dahiyeh district shortly before the agreement was completed. Vance told Israeli ministers, “Do not attack the only leader in the world who likes you.” He also said the Switzerland trip, originally set for Friday and meant to include a ceremonial signing and help launch the next round of talks, could be delayed.

Trump’s envoy Steve Witkoff said in a briefing that Iran would invite International Atomic Energy Agency inspectors to examine its nuclear facilities and would begin a process to locate and disclose the position of enriched material held by Tehran. According to AP, Witkoff told congressional leaders and national security committees that the memorandum of understanding does not include side deals, although a separate letter between Tehran and the IAEA would allow agency chief Rafael Grossi to bring American nuclear inspectors to Iran.

CNN reported that the United States and Iran are drafting secret proposals to implement the 14 clauses signed this week, including details on the future of Iran’s nuclear program. Sources told CNN that some of the additional understandings are written, but they are not final, and Iran has not signed further documents beyond the 14-point memorandum. Vance said the administration will reward conduct, not words, whether commitments are written or spoken. The uncertainty over timing and content could complicate Trump’s effort to sell what critics in the U.S., including Republicans in Congress, see as an overly generous deal for Tehran.