US-Iran talks postponed as Israel continues attacks on Lebanon
Scheduled US-Iran talks in Switzerland to discuss technical terms of a ceasefire have been postponed, as Iran delayed sending its delegation in protest of Israel's military campaign in Lebanon.
Talks between the United States and Iran, planned for Switzerland to discuss the technical terms of their ceasefire agreement, have been postponed. The Swiss Foreign Ministry confirmed early Friday that the meeting scheduled in Burgenstock would not proceed.
Reports indicate that Iran has delayed sending its delegation to address technical issues related to the ceasefire deal—digitally signed by the two countries on Wednesday—due to Israel's ongoing military campaign in Lebanon. Israeli strikes overnight and into Friday have killed at least 16 people in southern Lebanon, with Iran-linked Hezbollah reporting intense fighting.
The ceremony and subsequent talks were to be held at the Burgenstock Resort in Stansstad, near Lucerne, central Switzerland. The resort is owned by Katara Hospitality, part of Qatar's sovereign wealth fund, which helped mediate peace in the conflict. On Friday, the Swiss foreign ministry stated: "The planned talks between the US, Iran, Qatar and Pakistan have been postponed." It added that Switzerland remains ready to facilitate these talks and that preparatory work at Burgenstock is continuing, but no new date was given.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Thursday that Israel's military will stay in a "security zone" in southern Lebanon as long as "Israel's security needs require it." Israel and Hezbollah are not parties to the agreement, but Iran has insisted Israel must withdraw from the large area of southern Lebanon it is occupying.
US Vice President JD Vance, who was to lead the negotiations, had been prepared to travel to Switzerland, with his staff and journalists gathering in Washington. However, the trip was abruptly called off Thursday evening. The White House said Vance and his delegation were prepared for talks but were unable to finalize plans. Pakistan's Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif also canceled his trip to Switzerland, his spokesperson told AFP.
