White House Postpones VP Vance's Switzerland Trip, Delaying Follow-up Talks with Iran

The White House announced on the 18th (local time) that U.S. Vice President J.D. Vance’s scheduled trip to Switzerland for follow-up working-level negotiations on the nuclear deal with Iran has been postponed.

In a statement, the White House said that Vice President Vance would not be departing for Switzerland this evening.

Vice President Vance had planned to visit Switzerland to lead follow-up negotiations regarding Iran’s denuclearization and the lifting of sanctions, which were scheduled for the 19th.

A White House spokesperson stated, "Plans for the working-level talks have not yet been finalized," adding, "The logistical coordination of such negotiations has never been easy or predictable."

However, the White House emphasized that the U.S. negotiating team is prepared to depart at the earliest possible opportunity, stating, "We look forward to beginning the working-level talks as soon as possible."

Iran’s Tasnim News Agency also reported that "nothing has been confirmed" regarding the Iranian delegation’s visit to Switzerland.

In connection with this, reports have emerged suggesting that the Iranian delegation withheld its visit to Switzerland in protest of Israel’s continued attacks on Lebanon, despite the recent ceasefire agreement between the U.S. and Iran.

Lebanon’s Al-Mayadeen TV, which is linked to the pro-Iranian militant group Hezbollah, cited sources as saying that "the Iranian delegation was preparing to depart for the first round of talks under the 60-day negotiation process, but ultimately decided to postpone the visit."

The source stated that Iran has notified the U.S. and mediating countries that the situation in Lebanon will be a key criterion in deciding whether to continue or suspend the negotiations.

Furthermore, the source said that Iran warned that Israel’s military operations, which are extending up to 10km (6.2 miles) inside Lebanese territory, are a clear violation of the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on ending the war between the U.S. and Iran.

There are also reports that Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, whose country is mediating between the U.S. and Iran, has postponed his planned visit to Switzerland.

Initially, the U.S. delegation and Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf were scheduled to meet in the Swiss resort of Bürgenstock on the 19th to discuss the details of the ceasefire agreement.

The day before, the presidents of the U.S. and Iran signed an MOU agreeing to the opening of the Strait of Hormuz and the lifting of the maritime blockade against Iran, with follow-up negotiations on Iran’s denuclearization and the lifting of sanctions to be held over a 60-day period.

The Swiss talks were intended as working-level negotiations to finalize specific implementation plans for sensitive issues such as the nuclear program and the lifting of sanctions, but the start of these talks has been somewhat delayed due to the postponement of Vice President Vance’s departure.

Earlier today, Vice President Vance said at a White House press briefing, "The 60-day negotiation period following the agreement with Iran has officially begun today."

Based on this, the 60-day negotiation period must be concluded by August 16.

(Photo: AP, Yonhap News)
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.