US-Iran talks in Switzerland delayed as Lebanon strikes disrupt plans

Planned direct diplomatic talks between the United States and Iran ran into trouble before formally beginning on Friday, with both delegations postponing travel to Switzerland. The White House said Vice President J.D. Vance delayed his trip to the first round of talks with Tehran, while Switzerland’s foreign ministry later said the day’s scheduled talks would not take place.

Washington described the change as a logistical issue. In a statement, the White House said the American team was ready to leave at the first available opportunity, but that “the logistics of this negotiation were never simple or predictable,” adding, “At this point, the vice president is not leaving tonight. We expect to begin technical talks as soon as possible.” Vance separately said in a press briefing that the Iranians might also be facing technical travel problems.

Still, an American official said the real reason for the postponement may have been Iranian anger over what it sees as Israeli violations of the ceasefire in Lebanon. That reading was reinforced by Iranian coverage: Hezbollah-linked Al-Mayadeen quoted a well-informed source saying the Iranian negotiating delegation suspended its departure for the first round in Switzerland because Israel continued its strikes in southern Lebanon. The source said Tehran had told the Americans and mediators that the Lebanese issue was central to whether talks continue or are suspended.

Tehran warned that continuing Israeli actions and strikes 10 kilometers inside Lebanese territory amount to a clear breach of the understandings. President Donald Trump responded on his social network that the United States is committed to peace and urged all sides to let negotiations develop properly, saying Washington expects a full ceasefire on all fronts, including in Lebanon between Hezbollah and Israel.