U.S.-Iran talks postponed as Vance cancels trip and Israel intensifies strikes in southern Lebanon

The first peace talks between the United States and Iran were postponed Friday, as Vice President JD Vance cancelled his planned travel to Switzerland and intense new Israeli strikes in Lebanon cast doubts on the deal to end the war. The intensification in Lebanon came just days after the interim U.S.-Iran agreement was signed and as the two sides were set to sit down for their first negotiations to agree a lasting conclusion to the conflict started by the U.S. and Israel in late February. Talks planned for Friday in the Swiss Alps, which Vance was scheduled to attend, were meant to launch a 60-day period of negotiationsto resolve key long-term issues and ensure a permanent end to the war. Switzerland’s foreign ministry confirmed early Friday that the planned talks between the U.S., Iran, Qatar and Pakistan would not take place in the mountaintop resort of Bürgenstock. “Switzerland remains ready to facilitate these talks,” the ministry said in a statement, adding that “relevant preparatory work” in Bürgenstock is continuing. A White House spokesperson said late Thursday that Vance would not be traveling to Switzerland. “As the Vice President said at his press conference, the plans for the upcoming technical talks have not been finalized, and the U.S. delegation has been prepared to depart at the first available opportunity,” the spokesperson said. “But the logistics of these negotiations have never been simple or predictable. As of now the Vice President is not departing tonight.” The spokesperson added, “We look forward to beginning technical talks as soon as possible.” In Lebanon, Israel said it targeted Tehran-backed militant group Hezbollah across the south of the country overnight and early Friday, killing at least 18 people, Lebanon’s health officials reported. Israeli military said four of its soldiers were killed as Hezbollah also reported fighting in the area. There was no immediate reaction from Iranian officials, with the country’s state media reporting on the postponement of the talks but not laying out the reasons for it. Iran has warned that it would not abide by the agreement should Israel, which was left out of the peace talks, continue its deadly campaign in Lebanon.