U.S.-Iran talks in Geneva called off after Iranian delegation withdraws

Switzerland’s Foreign Ministry said Friday morning that the U.S.-Iran talks scheduled for Geneva that day would not take place, after the Iranian delegation announced overnight that it was canceling its trip. The White House later said Vice President J.D. Vance would not travel to Switzerland. In its statement, the White House said the next technical talks were not finalized, that the American delegation had been prepared to leave at the first available opportunity, and that the logistics had never been simple or predictable.

Iranian parliament speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf said overnight, “Any violation of the agreement or excessive demands will be answered harshly.” Iran’s Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei also issued his first message on the deal last night, saying, “My view was different, but I approved the move at President Pezeshkian’s request.” He added, “If the American side makes excessive demands, we will not surrender to them.”

The Wall Street Journal reported that the Pentagon told U.S. lawmakers it needs $80 billion for war costs in Iran and additional expenses. According to the report, military officials warned that different branches could run out of money for operational activity as soon as this summer unless Congress approves a new emergency wartime budget.

President Donald Trump said later that Washington expected a ceasefire on all fronts, including between Hezbollah and Israel. A senior IDF officer said recognition of Iran’s right to enrich uranium on its soil and produce ballistic missiles would be “a strategic mistake and a historic surrender.”

Earlier, Vance defended the emerging agreement in an interview with The New York Times, saying, “Israel is a country of nine million people. You cannot kill your way out of every security problem you face.” He said the U.S. was pursuing its own national interests, that differences sometimes exist between Washington and Jerusalem, and later told reporters at the White House that Iran would receive compensation only if it completely changed its behavior and guaranteed it would have no missiles threatening the world. Trump also wrote on Truth that “the oil is flowing” and that Iran would never obtain a nuclear weapon.