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U.S. President Donald Trump's special envoys are heading to Switzerland ahead of possible negotiations with Iran over a potential nuclear agreement, according to the report, as diplomatic efforts continue despite uncertainty surrounding the talks.
White House envoy Steve Witkoff is traveling to Switzerland, while presidential envoy Jared Kushner has already arrived in the country, Axios reported Friday, citing a U.S. official.
Qatari Prime Minister Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, a key mediator between Washington and Tehran, also arrived in Switzerland on Friday.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi is expected to travel to Switzerland on Saturday, although those plans could still change, the report suggested.
The first round of discussions between Washington and Tehran had been expected to begin Friday but was postponed, and it remains unclear when the talks will take place.
Questions also remain over the makeup of the U.S. delegation. Vice President JD Vance had been expected to lead the American team but called off a planned trip to Switzerland late Thursday.
The White House attributed the change in plans to unresolved logistical arrangements for anticipated technical-level talks with Iran.
Switzerland's Foreign Ministry confirmed Friday that a meeting scheduled at Burgenstock would not go ahead as planned.
"The discussion at Burgenstock will not take place as planned today," the ministry said in a statement. "Consequently, the meeting announced yesterday is cancelled."
In a separate statement, the ministry noted that planned talks involving the United States, Iran, Qatar and Pakistan had been postponed, while reiterating that Switzerland remains ready to facilitate future discussions.
A source from one of the countries mediating between the U.S. and Iran told Axios that Araghchi informed several counterparts on Friday that a ceasefire in Lebanon is a critical issue for Tehran and could prove a "make or break" factor for the planned talks.
Another source familiar with the discussions indicated that Iranian officials want to see a ceasefire take hold before traveling to Switzerland.
Israeli forces carried out more than 150 strikes across southern Lebanon on Friday, targeting Iran-backed Hezbollah command centers, fighters, launch positions and other infrastructure.
Lebanese authorities said the bombardment killed at least 47 people and wounded dozens more, while Israel reported that four of its soldiers were killed in fighting near the border.
A ceasefire has been reached.
A ceasefire took effect at 4 p.m. local time on Friday after mediation efforts involving the United States, Qatar and other regional actors, aiming to halt a deadly flare-up that threatened to broaden the conflict.
The U.S. and Iran signed a memorandum of understanding this week that formally ended hostilities between the two countries and launched a 60-day process to negotiate a broader agreement focused on Iran's nuclear program and sanctions relief.
Under the memorandum, Iran agreed to reopen the Strait of Hormuz to commercial shipping and maintain the current status of its nuclear program while negotiations continue. Washington, meanwhile, pledged not to impose new sanctions during the interim period and committed to lifting restrictions tied to a future comprehensive agreement.
The agreement also calls on both sides to support efforts aimed at preserving stability in the region, including maintaining the recently reached ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah in Lebanon.
Earlier, Pakistani government sources told Anadolu Agency that Iran postponed the technical-level talks in protest over continued Israeli ceasefire violations, particularly in southern Lebanon.
The sources said Iran's chief negotiator, Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, and Araghchi had been prepared to travel to Switzerland for direct talks with Washington before receiving instructions from the country's top leadership to suspend the trip.
Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei confirmed Friday that consultations through mediators are continuing on the next phase of negotiations aimed at drafting a final agreement.
He added that details of the next round of talks would be announced once conditions for negotiations are in place.
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