US-Iran ceasefire talks in Switzerland postponed amid Lebanon fighting
Swiss officials said planned talks involving the US, Iran, Qatar and Pakistan were delayed as Israel’s campaign in Lebanon continued.
By Daniel Okafor · Business Editor
3 min read
Planned talks in Switzerland on the technical terms of a US-Iran ceasefire deal were postponed Friday, slowing an effort to turn a newly signed framework into working arrangements. The delay came as Israeli attacks in southern Lebanon continued, with Al Jazeera reporting that overnight strikes into Friday killed at least 16 people.
The Swiss Foreign Ministry confirmed that the meeting, expected at the Burgenstock resort near Lucerne, would not take place as planned. In a message to AFP, the ministry said talks between the United States, Iran, Qatar and Pakistan had been postponed, and said Switzerland remained ready to facilitate them.
The ministry did not announce a new date. It said preparatory work at Burgenstock was continuing.
Iranian delegation delayed
Al-Mayadeen reported that Iran had delayed sending its delegation to Switzerland because of Israel’s continuing military campaign in Lebanon. Al Jazeera reported that the discussions were meant to cover technical issues tied to a ceasefire deal that the United States and Iran digitally signed on Wednesday.
The proposed gathering was expected to include a ceremony and talks at Burgenstock, a luxury resort in Stansstad in central Switzerland. Al Jazeera reported that the resort is owned by Katara Hospitality, part of Qatar’s sovereign wealth fund, and that Qatar helped mediate peace efforts in the conflict.
Hezbollah, which is linked to Iran, reported heavy fighting as Israel pressed its operations in Lebanon, according to Al Jazeera. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Thursday that Israeli forces would remain in a “security zone” in southern Lebanon for as long as Israel’s security needs required it.
Israel and Hezbollah are not parties to the US-Iran agreement, according to Al Jazeera. Iran has said Israel must leave the large part of southern Lebanon it occupies.
Vance trip called off
The postponement came two days after the United States and Iran signed a 14-point memorandum of understanding, according to Al Jazeera. The document sets out a framework for talks over a 60-day negotiation period.
Vice President JD Vance had been preparing to fly overnight to Switzerland to meet Iranian counterparts, according to AP. His staff and a small group of journalists had gathered at Joint Base Andrews outside Washington before the trip was cancelled Thursday evening.
AP reported that White House officials, advance staff and media were also in Switzerland preparing for Vance’s expected arrival. The White House said Vance, whom President Donald Trump selected to lead the negotiations, and his delegation were ready for talks but could not finalize the arrangements, leaving the vice president in Washington.
“The logistics of these negotiations have never been simple or predictable,” the White House said.
Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif also cancelled his trip to Switzerland on Thursday, his spokesperson told AFP. The Swiss Foreign Ministry said it remained prepared to host the delayed talks, but no revised schedule has been made public.
This story draws on original reporting from Al Jazeera.