US-Iran Peace Talks in Switzerland Cancelled at Last Minute
Peace talks between the United States and Iran, scheduled to take place in Burgenstock, Switzerland, on Friday (19/6/2026), have been cancelled. The announcement was made by the Swiss Foreign Minister, as reported by Reuters.
The announcement followed a White House statement that Vice President JD Vance would not be travelling to Switzerland. Friday’s talks were a follow-up to an agreement to end the war with Iran, following a virtual signing on Wednesday between President Donald Trump and President Masoud Pezeshkian regarding a 14-point memorandum of understanding for peace between the two countries.
“The logistics of these negotiations have never been simple or predictable. At this time, the Vice President will not be departing tonight,” a White House spokesperson said of Vance on Thursday evening. “We hope to begin technical talks as soon as possible,” the spokesperson added.
In Iran, the Tasnim news agency said “nothing has been confirmed” regarding the Iranian delegation’s trip to Switzerland. Iran’s supreme leader, Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei, said on Thursday that he had approved the agreement, despite specific objections on several points.
The 14-point US-Iran Memorandum of Understanding previously included a cessation of attacks, including those by Israel on Lebanon, a commitment to further negotiations over 60 days to resolve outstanding disputes, and the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz. It also agreed on US$300 billion for the reconstruction and economic development of the Islamic Republic of Iran, the creation of a special resolution at the UN Security Council, the cessation of Iran’s nuclear programme, and the end of oil sanctions on Tehran. The points also contained a US promise to fully provide and release frozen Iranian funds and assets to a final recipient designated by Iran’s central bank.
Israel and the US attacked Tehran and other Iranian cities on 28 February, marking the start of a new war in the Middle East. Iran responded with waves of missile and drone attacks targeting Israeli and US bases and assets in the region, and tightened its grip on the Strait of Hormuz, blocking safe passage for ships owned by or affiliated with Israel and the US.