The Kabul Tribune (KT) — Reuters reported that planned U.S.-Iran peace talks in Switzerland have been called off, raising fresh uncertainty over efforts to secure a lasting truce in the Middle East conflict.
Swiss authorities confirmed that the talks, scheduled to
take place on Friday at the mountain resort of Bürgenstock, would not proceed
after U.S. Vice President JD Vance canceled his planned visit. The Swiss
foreign ministry did not provide further details.
A White House spokesperson said the logistics of the
negotiations had been “never simple or predictable,” adding that Vance and the
U.S. delegation had been ready to depart once arrangements were finalized.
Iran had not immediately commented on the cancellation.
Earlier, Tehran had said it was prepared to begin technical discussions
following a 14-point agreement signed Wednesday that extended a fragile
ceasefire by at least 60 days. However, Iranian officials had also insisted
they first needed to see signs of U.S. implementation of the interim deal.
The semi-official Tasnim news agency had previously reported
uncertainty over whether Iran’s delegation would travel to Switzerland.
U.S. officials had planned a formal signing ceremony for the
agreement, but Iran’s foreign ministry questioned its necessity, saying both
presidents had already signed the accord.
The conflict, which began on Feb. 28 with U.S. and Israeli
airstrikes on Iran, has killed thousands and disrupted global energy markets.
The agreement has also faced political scrutiny in
Washington. Some allies of U.S. President Donald Trump have questioned whether
the deal concedes too much to Tehran. Trump had previously demanded Iran’s
“unconditional surrender,” but the memorandum signed with Iran reportedly
includes sanctions relief and the unfreezing of billions of dollars in assets.
Iran’s Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei said Trump signed the
deal “out of desperation” and warned that upcoming nuclear talks would not be
easy, stating that Iran would reject excessive demands.
The agreement reportedly gives negotiators 60 days to reach
a final deal on Iran’s nuclear program and includes proposals for
reconstruction funding and financial incentives. U.S. officials also said they
would seek limits on Iran’s long-range missile program.
Meanwhile, fighting continued in Lebanon, where Israel has
maintained operations against Hezbollah despite the agreement calling for a
broader ceasefire.
U.S. officials say negotiations could still produce a
stronger nuclear agreement than the 2015 accord involving International Atomic
Energy Agency and world powers, which was later abandoned by Washington during
Trump’s first term.
However, analysts cited in the report warned that Iran may
now be in a stronger position after withstanding military pressure and
maintaining leverage over key regional waterways.
Further developments remain uncertain as diplomatic efforts
appear stalled.
