Switzerland announced the postponement of the talks that were scheduled to be held today, Friday, between the United States and Iran at the Bürgenstock mountain resort in the country, aimed at reaching a final agreement between the two countries, indefinitely, and this comes just hours after the cancellation of U.S. Vice President Jay D. Vance's visit to Switzerland.
In a statement from the Swiss Foreign Ministry, it was said: "The planned talks between the United States, Iran, Qatar, and Pakistan have been postponed. Switzerland remains ready to facilitate these talks, and necessary preparations continue."
The ministry did not set a new date for the talks.
This statement comes hours after a spokesperson for the White House stated that U.S. Vice President Jay D. Vance canceled a trip that was planned to meet with Iranian negotiators in Switzerland, on Friday, to start talks on the implementation of the agreement between Tehran and Washington to end their war.
During a press conference on Thursday, Vance said that the arrangements for the talks had not yet been completed, indicating the possibility of technical challenges related to the travel of Iranian officials.
A spokesperson for the White House clarified that Vance and his accompanying delegation were ready to leave as soon as the arrangements for the talks were finalized, noting that the logistical aspects of these negotiations have always been complicated and unpredictable, while no immediate comment came from the Iranian side.
According to the Axios website, indications have emerged that the background for the decision may be linked to the fragility of the ceasefire in Lebanon and the escalating tensions between Israel and Hezbollah.
Axios quoted a U.S. official as saying that Tehran's objection to what it sees as Israeli violations of the ceasefire in Lebanon may be a reason for the failure to hold the talks on Friday.
Lebanese media associated with Hezbollah reported that the delay was due to ongoing Israeli airstrikes on southern Lebanon. Iran has always affirmed that Lebanon is a party to the ceasefire with the United States.
Under the agreement, an initial period of sixty days was allocated to make the current ceasefire permanent and to address the Iranian nuclear program.
Tehran has expressed its readiness to engage in technical talks following the extension of the ceasefire for sixty days.
However, the Iranian agency "Tasnim" indicated the desire of Iranian negotiators to adhere to gaining practical indications from Washington for implementing the interim agreement before starting new rounds of negotiations, confirming the absence of any confirmations regarding the travel of the Iranian delegation to Geneva.
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The Supreme Leader of the Iranian Republic, Ali Khamenei, stated that he approved the memorandum of understanding signed by the Iranian and American presidents, despite his reservations about it.
This came in a written message to the Iranian people, conveyed by Iranian state media on Thursday.
Khamenei also authorized Iranian negotiators, on Thursday, to conduct direct talks with the United States, insisting that this "does not mean accepting the enemy's viewpoints," as he put it.
Hours later, the chief Iranian negotiator and the head of parliament, Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, issued a statement thanking Khamenei, reaffirming adherence to the Iranian "red lines" in talks with Washington, without mentioning any changes in plans.
Meanwhile, U.S. President Donald Trump wrote on the "Truth Social" platform, saying that the United States is "committed to peace," calling on all parties in the region to allow negotiations to move forward.
Trump said, "We expect a complete ceasefire on all fronts, including Lebanon, Hezbollah, and Israel."
The indicators were pointing towards holding an official signing ceremony for the agreement in Geneva, but the Iranian Foreign Ministry deemed the step unnecessary following the signing of the two presidents...