US-Iran talks in Switzerland abruptly called off, as Israel and Hezbollah trade attacks in Lebanon

US vice-president JD Vance was scheduled to fly to Switzerland for talks with Iran but the meeting has been cancelled. Photograph: Michael Brochstein/ZUMA Press Wire/Shutterstock View image in fullscreen US vice-president JD Vance was scheduled to fly to Switzerland for talks with Iran but the meeting has been cancelled. Photograph: Michael Brochstein/ZUMA Press Wire/Shutterstock US-Iran talks in Switzerland abruptly called off, as Israel and Hezbollah trade attacks in Lebanon JD Vance’s staff were at the airbase ready to fly to summit in Bürgenstock for Iran talks before trip was suddenly cancelled Talks set to take place on Friday between the US ⁠ ⁠and ​Iran in Switzerland to implement a peace deal were cancelled as Hezbollah targeted Israeli forces and Israel carried out a wave of airstrikes in south Lebanon which killed several people. The talks were set to begin in the tiny Swiss village of Obbürgen on Friday, two days after the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MOU) that opened a 60-day window to negotiate a permanent understanding over Iran’s nuclear program, while getting oil traffic moving through the strait of Hormuz. The White House said the US looked forward to “beginning technical talks as soon as possible”, as it announced that JD Vance, who is leading negotiations for the Trump administration, would now not be travelling. Iran peace deal makes clear how far US has been forced to retreat since 2025 “The logistics of these negotiations have never been simple or predictable. As of now the vice-president is not departing tonight,” a White House spokesperson said late on Thursday. The cancellation of the talks came as Israel and Hezbollah traded their most violent strikes since the ceasefire was established. Hezbollah targeted Israeli forces near the city of Nabatieh, south Lebanon, with several salvoes of rocket fire late on Thursday after intermittent Israeli shelling throughout the day. Israel responded with a wave of airstrikes on the city and surrounding towns, leaving several people dead and wounded, including children. Hezbollah said it was targeting Israeli forces which were trying to advance towards the foothills surrounding Nabatieh – a flashpoint which has seen intermittent fighting since the US-Iran ceasefire was announced. Prior to the truce, Israeli forces were advancing towards the southern Lebanese city. View image in fullscreen Israeli artillery shelling in southern Lebanon on Thursday, amid escalating tensions along the border region. Photograph: Abdul Kader Al Bay/ZUMA Press Wire/ShutterstockThe cancellation of the talks between Iran and the US on Friday came so abruptly, that Vance’s staff and a small pack of journalists had even gathered at Joint Base Andrews outside Washington in anticipation of the trip.