Switzerland has confirmed that planned talks between US and Iranian negotiators aimed at ending the Middle East conflict will not take place on Friday, adding fresh uncertainty over efforts to secure a lasting peace.
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The development came after US Vice President JD Vance abandoned plans to travel to Geneva. The White House said preparations had been made for Vance and the US delegation to depart once arrangements were finalised, but acknowledged the difficulties involved in organising the negotiations.
“The logistics of these negotiations have never been simple or predictable,” a White House spokesperson said on Thursday night.
Swiss officials said the meeting, which had been scheduled at the resort of Bürgenstock Resort, would not go ahead, but provided no further explanation.
Uncertainty over next steps
Iran did not immediately comment on the cancellation. Earlier, Tehran had indicated it was prepared to begin technical discussions following a 14-point agreement reached on Wednesday that extended a fragile ceasefire for at least 60 days.
According to Iran’s semi-official Tasnim news agency, Iranian negotiators wanted evidence that Washington was implementing the interim agreement before proceeding. There had also been no confirmation that Iran’s delegation would travel to Switzerland.
US officials had previously suggested a formal signing ceremony for the agreement could take place in Switzerland. However, Iran’s Foreign Ministry questioned the need for such an event after both countries’ presidents had already signed the accord.
Deal faces political and regional challenges
The conflict began on 28 February with US and Israeli air strikes on Iran. The war has reportedly killed at least 7,000 people, disrupted energy markets and unsettled global investors.
Although the agreement seeks to reduce tensions, Israel has distanced itself from the US-Iran deal and continued military operations against the Iran-backed Hezbollah movement in Lebanon. Fresh Israeli strikes on Friday reportedly killed at least 15 people, according to Lebanon’s state news agency.
The accord calls for a permanent end to the war in Lebanon, but Israel has said it does not intend to withdraw from occupied areas and has published a map showing an expanded security zone.
The issue has deepened tensions between US President Donald Trump and Israel, with Trump increasingly critical of Israeli operations in Lebanon.
Nuclear negotiations remain difficult
The agreement provides Iran with sanctions relief, access to frozen assets worth tens of billions of dollars and immediate waivers for oil exports. It also establishes a $300 billion reconstruction fund and gives negotiators 60 days to reach a broader settlement on Iran’s nuclear programme.
Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei, said Trump signed the agreement “out of desperation” and warned that future nuclear talks would be challenging.
“If the American side wants to be too demanding, we will not accept it,” he said.
Under the deal, Iran reaffirmed that it would not seek nuclear weapons and agreed to inspections by the International Atomic Energy Agency. It also accepted the dilution of its highly enriched uranium stockpile within the country, rather than transferring it abroad as Washington had sought.
Economic impact in focus
The cost of the conflict is also attracting scrutiny. The US Defence Department has reportedly told lawmakers it requires $80 billion to cover war-related expenses and other funding needs.
Meanwhile, oil prices fell on Friday as shipping resumed through the Strait of Hormuz, a key route for global energy supplies. Iran said it would continue to oversee traffic through the strait alongside Oman and plans to introduce service fees for vessels after the current negotiation period ends.
US officials remain hopeful that upcoming talks could produce a stronger nuclear agreement than the 2015 accord that Trump withdrew from during his first term. Critics, however, argue that Iran has emerged from the conflict in a stronger position, having resisted military pressure, retained influence over the Strait of Hormuz and secured significant sanctions relief.
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Adapted by ASEAN Now. Source 19 June 2026
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