Iran Postpones Technical Talks with US in Protest Against Israeli Actions in Lebanon

Iran has postponed technical-level negotiations with the United States that were scheduled to take place in Switzerland on Friday, in protest against what it describes as Israel’s “continuing” ceasefire violations, especially in southern Lebanon, according to Pakistani government sources. The sources said Iran’s chief negotiator Bagher Qalibaf and Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi had been prepared to fly to Switzerland to hold direct talks with the US. However, the travel plan was cancelled at the last minute after receiving “directives” from the “highest leadership of Iran.” They did not clarify whether the directive came directly from Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei, who had previously stated he held “different views” regarding a US-Iran agreement to end the war. The sources added that no new date or location has yet been set for the negotiations. “Pakistan is communicating with both parties to establish a new date for technical-level talks to reach a final agreement,” said a source familiar with the mediation process. The signing of the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding by US President Donald Trump and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian had previously paved the way for direct talks between the two sides in Switzerland on Friday. The source said US Vice President JD Vance cancelled his trip to Switzerland after Pakistan conveyed Iran’s decision to the US. “The logistics of these negotiations have never been simple or easy to predict. For now, the Vice President will not depart tonight,” said a White House spokesperson. However, the spokesperson expressed hope that technical negotiations could begin “as soon as possible.” The Swiss Foreign Ministry confirmed that Friday’s talks were cancelled. The Islamabad MoU gives both parties 60 days to formulate a final agreement. The deal specifically focuses on Iran’s nuclear programme, in line with Trump’s statement that the country must not possess nuclear weapons. Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif stated that the Islamabad MoU takes effect immediately upon signing. He also said Iran and the US would take steps to fully open the Strait of Hormuz for international shipping. Sharif also signed the agreement as a “mediator.” The agreement calls for an immediate and permanent cessation of all military operations on all fronts, including in Lebanon, accompanied by a commitment not to use force and to guarantee Lebanon’s sovereignty. Shortly after the US and Israel began the war on 28 February, Iran closed the Strait of Hormuz. On 13 April, US forces imposed a blockade on Iranian ports, making commercial shipping through the strategic waterway nearly impossible. Israel also launched attacks on Lebanon that have killed nearly 3,800 people, including civilians and military personnel, since the US-Iran war began. More than 3,300 people, including civilians and soldiers, have died in Iran. Meanwhile, the US has confirmed the deaths of 14 personnel and the loss of a number of military weapons and aircraft. After successfully brokering a ceasefire on 8 April, Pakistan hosted the highest-level direct talks between the US and Iran on 12-13 April. That meeting was the most significant direct contact since the two countries severed diplomatic relations in 1979.