Vance cancels trip to Switzerland as Iran delays talks delegation

U.S. Vice President JD Vance will not fly to Switzerland on Friday night for the start of technical talks with Iran on the memorandum of understanding between the two countries. In a formal statement, his office said the plans for the talks had not yet been finalized, the American delegation was ready to leave at the first available opportunity, but the logistics of the negotiation were never simple or predictable. The office added, “At this time, the vice president is not traveling tonight.”

The cancellation came only hours after Vance said the U.S. team was waiting for an update on when and how the Iranian delegation would arrive in the Swiss town of Lucerne. He said he expected the negotiations could begin over the weekend or later.

At the same time, the Lebanese channel Al-Mayadeen, which is identified with the pro-Iranian axis, reported Tuesday night, citing an Iranian source, that Tehran had suspended its delegation’s departure for Switzerland. According to the report, the move was a protest against continuing Israeli strikes in southern Lebanon.

The report said Tehran had made clear to Washington and the mediators that the Lebanese issue is a central component for it in the continuation of the talks. An Israeli Channel 12 report quoted a senior American official as saying the Iranian claims may be the reason the Switzerland talks would not take place on Friday.