Planned talks between the United States and Iran in Switzerland have been postponed after Vice President JD Vance withdrew from a scheduled trip to the Burgenstock resort, the White House confirmed on Thursday.
The announcement came just one day after the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding aimed at ending the conflict.
The 14-point deal covered the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, a commitment that Iran will never develop a nuclear weapon, a $300 billion reconstruction plan for Iran, and a full lifting of US sanctions. Both sides agreed to reach a final deal within 60 days.
The White House said logistics for the technical follow-up talks had “not been finalised” but expressed hope that discussions would resume “as soon as possible.” Switzerland confirmed the talks had been postponed, though preparations at the mountaintop hotel remained in place.
The breakdown comes as Lebanon continues to bleed. Lebanese health authorities reported at least 18 people killed in overnight Israeli strikes on southern Lebanon. The country’s state news agency described the bombardment as one of the most intense of the war. Israel said it targeted Hezbollah infrastructure and confirmed four of its own soldiers had been killed.
Vance had on Thursday publicly criticised Israeli far-right National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, telling reporters Israel should “wake up and smell the reality.” Ben-Gvir responded by saying “all of Lebanon must burn.”
More than 3,900 people have been killed in Lebanon since the war began. A deal exists on paper. Peace does not yet exist on the ground.
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