Trump’s special envoy Steve Witkoff is heading to Switzerland for the first round of talks with Iran on a potential nuclear deal, according to Axios, as the U.S. attempts to move forward with negotiations despite an escalation in fighting that threatened the broader agreement.
The talks were originally scheduled to begin Friday but were postponed after renewed fighting between Israel and Hezbollah in Lebanon jeopardized the interim ceasefire deal signed this week between the U.S. and Iran. Vice President JD Vance, who was expected to lead the U.S. delegation, canceled his trip to Switzerland on Thursday night.
The postponement underscores the fragility of the agreement reached on June 17 at the Palace of Versailles. A memorandum of understanding signed by Trump and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian established a 60-day window for negotiators to finalize terms on Iran’s nuclear program and other contentious issues, according to Reuters. The interim deal includes relief from economic sanctions, the unfreezing of Iranian assets worth tens of billions of dollars, and a $300 billion reconstruction fund for Iran.
Lebanon Ceasefire Stabilizes, But Risks Remain
Israel and Hezbollah agreed to a ceasefire in Lebanon on Friday after an escalation in fighting threatened to derail the broader U.S.-Iran accord. A U.S. official confirmed the ceasefire took effect around 4 p.m. Lebanon time, following intense exchanges of fire. The agreement came after Trump told NBC News he had urged Israel to accept the truce.
However, the ceasefire’s fragility became apparent almost immediately. Lebanese security sources told Reuters that Israel carried out a dozen airstrikes in the first hour after the ceasefire began, though no strikes were recorded after 5 p.m. Lebanon’s health ministry said Israeli strikes after midnight into Friday had killed 47 people and wounded 97 others. The Israeli military reported four soldiers killed in an incident in Lebanon.
Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi was planning to travel to Switzerland on Saturday, according to a source cited by Axios, though the source noted this could still change. Araghchi had stressed to counterparts that the ceasefire in Lebanon was a “make or break” issue for the U.S.-Iran negotiations, according to mediating countries.
The broad interim deal requires the United States, Iran, and their allies to declare an immediate and permanent termination of military operations on all fronts, including in Lebanon. Iran’s Foreign Ministry said the U.S. would be responsible for any violation of its commitments under the deal, including ending the fighting in Lebanon, according to Reuters.
Trump defended the agreement against criticism from Republican allies in Congress. “The War has diminished Iran!” he wrote on social media Friday. “We didn’t meet out of desperation, Iran did. They are FINISHED! We’ll play out the 60 days. They get no money, not ten cents!” according to Reuters.
Witkoff has been Trump’s lead envoy in the Iran negotiations alongside Jared Kushner, Trump’s son-in-law. The two have conducted multiple rounds of talks with Iranian officials since the administration took office. The Switzerland talks represent the first technical discussions since the memorandum of understanding was signed, and their outcome will be critical to determining whether the interim agreement can be converted into a lasting peace deal.
Sources
- Reuters — Confirmed Witkoff traveling to Switzerland, Lebanon ceasefire details, Iran deal terms, and Trump’s statements
- Axios — Reported Witkoff and Kushner heading to Switzerland, Araghchi’s planned travel, and Iranian concerns about Lebanon ceasefire
- Al Jazeera — Covered Israeli strikes continuing after ceasefire began and threat to broader Iran talks
- PBS NewsHour — Confirmed Israel-Hezbollah ceasefire agreement and connection to U.S.-Iran deal postponement
