Switzerland has announced the postponement of planned follow-up discussions tied to the agreement aimed at ending the Middle East conflict, coming hours after US Vice President JD Vance cancelled his visit to the European country.
The agreement reached earlier this week was designed to formally end the war involving Iran, reopen the Strait of Hormuz and begin a 60-day negotiation period focused on broader issues, including Tehran’s nuclear programme.
The deal was also expected to help bring an end to hostilities in Lebanon. However, Israel’s military announced fresh strikes on Hezbollah positions in southern Lebanon on Friday.
Confirming the development, Switzerland’s foreign ministry said discussions involving the United States, Iran, Qatar and Pakistan would no longer proceed as scheduled.
“The planned talks between the US, Iran, Qatar and Pakistan have been postponed,” the ministry said.
“Switzerland remains ready to facilitate these talks. The relevant preparatory work at Burgenstock is continuing.”
No new date was announced.
The announcement followed confirmation from the White House late Thursday that JD Vance would no longer travel to Switzerland. A spokesperson said the decision was due to the complexity of arranging the negotiations.
“The logistics of these negotiations have never been simple or predictable.
“We look forward to beginning technical talks as soon as possible.”
In Iran, the Tasnim news agency reported that authorities had not officially confirmed any trip by the Iranian delegation.
The agreement had already been signed separately by US President Donald Trump and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian.
Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei said on Thursday that he approved the agreement despite reservations, as the United States simultaneously lifted restrictions affecting Iranian ports.
In a written statement, Khamenei — who assumed leadership after the death of his father, Ali Khamenei, in an airstrike at the beginning of the conflict on February 28 — said he held a “different view” regarding the deal but eventually gave approval.
“But I issued my permission due to the commitment” made by officials including Pezeshkian to “protect the rights of the Iranian nation”.
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He also indicated that future engagement with Washington remained possible.
“Face-to-face negotiations” with the United States will be held in the future, but that does not “mean accepting the enemy’s point of view”.
Iran’s chief negotiator, Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, also warned Friday that Tehran would respond firmly if any part of the agreement was violated.
American authorities confirmed that the naval restrictions preventing vessels from entering or leaving Iranian ports had been lifted, although US warships would continue operating nearby.
Shipping activity through the Strait of Hormuz remained limited, despite signs of movement, including Saudi oil tankers and a French liquefied natural gas vessel passing through the route.
Iranian state television, citing the Supreme National Security Council, said vessels intending to pass through the strategic waterway must now submit requests to a newly created government authority.
According to the announcement, “no fees whatsoever will be collected from applicants for a period of sixty days”.
Although the agreement seeks to end the US-Israel conflict with Iran after weeks of fighting, tensions remain in neighbouring Lebanon.
Hezbollah claimed on Friday that it destroyed three Israeli tanks in southern Lebanon and said clashes remain active, while Israel’s military reported carrying out operations against Hezbollah targets in several areas.
Public reaction inside Iran also reflected uncertainty over the durability of the agreement.
“I have no hope that this is a lasting agreement. Maybe after the 60 days they start fighting again,” said Mina, a 54-year-old psychologist in Tehran.
As part of the agreement, Washington committed to easing sanctions affecting Iran’s oil exports and supporting wider economic recovery measures.
The deal also includes plans for a $300 billion reconstruction fund to be activated once a final agreement is reached on Iran’s nuclear programme.
Trump’s handling of the conflict has generated mixed reactions in the United States, including criticism from some within his own party.
Republican Senator Bill Cassidy described it as the “worst foreign policy blunder in decades”.
Defending the decision, Trump argued that extending military action would have created greater economic consequences.
“The only way I can get tougher is if I go in there for another two or three weeks and continue to bomb the hell out of ’em. Right? But what does that get us? The Strait of Hormuz will not be open,” he told Axios.
“We wouldn’t have oil for months,” he said. “This is the kind of thing that could cause a worldwide depression.”