Iran Postpones Technical Talks with US in Switzerland Over Israel's 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 violations of the ceasefire, particularly in southern Lebanon, according to Pakistani government sources.
The sources said Iran’s chief negotiator Bagher Qalibaf and Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi had been preparing to fly to Switzerland for direct talks with the US. However, the travel plan was cancelled at the last moment after receiving a directive from Iran’s supreme leadership.
They did not clarify whether the directive came directly from Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei, who has previously stated he holds differing views on 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 sides to establish a new date for the technical-level talks aimed at reaching 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 parties 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 the time being, the Vice President will not depart tonight, a White House spokesperson said, while expressing hope that technical talks could begin as soon as possible.
The Swiss Foreign Ministry confirmed that Friday’s talks were cancelled.
The Islamabad MoU gives both sides 60 days to formulate a final agreement. The deal focuses specifically 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.