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A planned launch of U.S-Iran technical talks in Switzerland has been canceled after U.S. Vice President JD Vance delayed a trip to the country.
Both sides are still working through logistical details tied to the next phase of negotiations.
The event had been scheduled for Friday at the Burgenstock resort overlooking Lake Lucerne, following a memorandum of understanding signed two days earlier that opened a 60-day window for talks on Iran's nuclear program and the restoration of oil traffic through the Strait of Hormuz.
Switzerland's foreign ministry confirmed that the gathering in the village of Obburgen would no longer take place as planned.
The announcement followed comments from the White House that Vance would not leave for Switzerland on Thursday night despite earlier expectations that he would help launch technical discussions linked to the agreement between Washington and Tehran.
"As of now, the U.S. vice president is not departing tonight," a White House spokesperson said. The spokesperson noted that preparations for the next round of negotiations remain unfinished and that the U.S. delegation is ready to travel once arrangements are finalized.
"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 stated. "But the logistics of these negotiations have never been simple or predictable."
The White House added that it hopes technical talks can begin "as soon as possible."
Earlier Thursday, Vance indicated that discussions could still begin this weekend, although he acknowledged that the timeline remained uncertain.
"I plan to go to Switzerland," Vance told reporters. "I think these technical negotiations are going to start sometime this weekend. That's still the plan. But that could change because it's not an easy country, Iran, to get out of."
Officials on both sides are still trying to lock down the timing, venue and agenda for the next phase of negotiations, which are expected to focus on technical details of Iran's nuclear program, including the future of its enriched uranium stockpile and the steps required under the recently signed memorandum of understanding.
Although Washington outlined plans for a formal signing ceremony in Geneva, Iranian officials downplayed the event, saying the agreement was already finalized with signatures from both presidents earlier this week.
Under the interim arrangement, Iran agreed to keep the Strait of Hormuz open to commercial shipping and cooperate on resolving questions surrounding its enriched uranium stockpile.
Washington pledged not to impose new sanctions during the negotiation period and to begin lifting restrictions tied to maritime traffic and trade.
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