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US VP Vance cancels Iran peace talks in Switzerland amid logistical issues
🇸🇦 Saudi Arabia /Conflict & Security

US VP Vance cancels Iran peace talks in Switzerland amid logistical issues

From Asharq Al-Awsat · () English

Translated from English, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Sources not specified Ongoing story
  • US Vice President JD Vance has canceled his scheduled trip to Switzerland for talks aimed at ending the war with Iran.
  • The White House cited logistical issues for the cancellation, with negotiations proving complex and unpredictable.
  • Despite the cancellation, the US and Iran have separately signed an accord to end the conflict, reopen the Strait of Hormuz, and begin talks on broader issues.

US Vice President JD Vance's planned talks in Switzerland aimed at concluding the war with Iran have been called off, according to the White House. The cancellation, attributed to logistical challenges, underscores the intricate and often unpredictable nature of the ongoing negotiations.

The logistics of these negotiations have never been simple or predictable. As of now the Vice President is not departing tonight.

— White House spokespersonExplaining the reason for Vice President Vance's canceled trip to Switzerland.

The White House stated that Vance would not travel as scheduled for Friday's discussions. "The logistics of these negotiations have never been simple or predictable. As of now the Vice President is not departing tonight," a spokesperson said late Thursday. "We look forward to beginning technical talks as soon as possible."

This development comes despite the separate signing of an accord by US President Donald Trump and his Iranian counterpart Masoud Pezeshkian. The agreement is intended to cease hostilities, reopen the vital Strait of Hormuz for energy shipments, and initiate a 60-day period for discussions on wider concerns, including Iran's nuclear program.

We look forward to beginning technical talks as soon as possible.

— White House spokespersonExpressing continued intent for negotiations despite the setback.

However, the path to peace remains fraught with complications. New clashes have erupted between Israeli forces and Iran-backed Hezbollah militants in Lebanon, despite the deal's aim to end fighting there. Furthermore, the signing ceremony between the US and Iran, initially set for Switzerland, now appears unlikely to proceed as planned.

nothing has been confirmed

— Tasnim agencyRegarding the Iranian delegation's travel plans.

In Iran, the Tasnim agency reported that "nothing has been confirmed" regarding the Iranian delegation's travel. Mojtaba Khamenei, Iran's supreme leader, has approved the agreement despite reservations, emphasizing the need to "protect the rights of the Iranian nation." He indicated that future face-to-face negotiations would occur but stressed it does not equate to "accepting the enemy's point of view."

But I issued my permission due to the commitment made by officials including Pezeshkian to 'protect the rights of the Iranian nation'.

— Mojtaba KhameneiExplaining his approval of the deal despite reservations.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Asharq Al-Awsat in English. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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