The start of U.S.-Iran talks in Switzerland, scheduled for Friday, has been delayed, casting doubt on the timeline for a permanent peace deal to end the three-month war in the Middle East.
Talks Postponed After Lebanon Fighting
The talks were postponed after fighting intensified in southern Lebanon between Israel and Iran-backed Hezbollah militants, sources told Bloomberg.
Iran, which had insisted on a ceasefire in Lebanon as part of the interim peace deal, did not send a delegation to the talks, according to the news outlet.
Overnight Clashes and Casualties
Overnight clashes between the Israeli military and Hezbollah claimed four soldiers, the first confirmed IDF deaths since the deal was announced. Lebanese officials claim 18 people were killed by Israeli strikes, which the Israeli military said it targeted 80 Hezbollah sites.
U.S. and Swiss Reactions
The White House announced late Thursday that U.S. Vice President JD Vance would not travel to the talks in the Swiss Alps, citing logistical issues. Switzerland’s foreign ministry later confirmed the talks at the Burgenstock resort had been postponed, although preparations for the negotiations were continuing.
Interim Peace Deal Signed
U.S. President Donald Trump signed the memorandum of understanding at the Palace of Versailles in France Wednesday night, while Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian signed the deal Thursday. The two did not meet in person.
The 14-point interim peace deal called for an immediate and permanent end to military operations on all fronts, including Lebanon, and paved the way for a final deal within 60 days.
Impact on Strait of Hormuz
It is unclear if the postponement of talks would affect the Strait of Hormuz, where maritime traffic had picked up since Trump and Pezeshkian signed the agreement. The MOU had called on Iran to restore toll-free passage for commercial vessels for at least 60 days, with full restoration of traffic within 30 days. Shipping traffic through the waterway, critical for global energy supplies, appeared to thin early Friday, Bloomberg reported.
