Peace talks between Iran and the United States, scheduled to begin in Switzerland on Friday, were abruptly cancelled after a deadly flare-up between Israel and Hezbollah. The violence, which killed four Israeli soldiers and at least 47 people in Lebanon, threatened the fragile ceasefire established under a new US-Iran memorandum of understanding.
The talks were to have taken place in the Swiss village of Obbürgen, two days after the signing of the MoU that opened a 60-day window to negotiate a permanent understanding over Iran's nuclear programme. The MoU called for an end to hostilities on all fronts, including in Lebanon. Iran's chief negotiator, Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, warned on Friday against any breach, threatening a 'decisive response'.
The cancellation came so abruptly that US Vice-President JD Vance's staff and journalists had gathered at Joint Base Andrews in anticipation of the trip. Dozens of White House officials and media were already in Switzerland. Late on Friday, reports suggested that US envoy Steve Witkoff might instead open the talks, with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi possibly travelling to Switzerland on Saturday.
On Saturday morning, at least five people were killed in an Israeli air strike on the southern Lebanese town of Arabsalim, according to Lebanon's state news agency NNA. Israeli warplanes and drones carried out strikes across the Nabatieh area, destroying residential buildings and houses. The violence added to uncertainty over whether a definitive end could be found to a regional war that has killed at least 7,000 people and sent energy prices soaring.
US President Donald Trump defended the deal, writing on social media: 'The War has diminished Iran! 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!' The latest clashes were the most violent since the ceasefire was established, with Hezbollah targeting Israeli forces near Nabatieh and Israel responding with airstrikes. By evening, a new ceasefire appeared to be in place.
