US-Iran peace talks in Switzerland postponed indefinitely after JD Vance cancels trip

Cancellation overnight

Discussions scheduled for Friday 19 June at the Bürgenstock mountain resort in Switzerland were called off after Vice President JD Vance aborted his planned trip. A White House spokesperson cited unresolved logistical aspects regarding the next stage of negotiations. The Swiss Federal Department of Foreign Affairs confirmed the postponement early on Thursday morning.

Discussions planned between the United States, Iran, Qatar and Pakistan have been postponed. Switzerland remains ready to facilitate these negotiations. Related preparatory activities are ongoing.

The US delegation had been prepared to depart at short notice, the spokesperson said, adding that the logistics of these talks had "never been simple or predictable." Vance had earlier stated he intended to lead the American negotiating team and that technical talks were expected to begin this weekend.

The 60-day clock is already ticking

A memorandum of understanding signed remotely on Wednesday by President Donald Trump and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian established a 60-day ceasefire window to negotiate a comprehensive peace deal. JD Vance confirmed that the period began officially on Thursday 18 June.

I would say the 60-day period began officially today. It was signed late. Technically speaking, it may have been signed today due to the time zone difference. We will start counting the 60 days from today.

The deal leaves the hardest questions, the future of Iran's nuclear programme, sanctions relief, and administration of the Strait of Hormuz, for the final agreement. Most analysts quoted in US media are sceptical the sides can reach a deal within the allotted time.

Conflicting signals

The postponement followed reports by Al Mayadeen, a pan-Arab channel allied with Hezbollah, that Iran was delaying the dispatch of its delegation because of Israel's ongoing military campaign in Lebanon. The White House maintained that only logistical hurdles held up the trip. Earlier on Thursday, Swiss authorities had said the plan was still for the two sides, with mediators from Pakistan and Qatar, to meet at Bürgenstock for initial implementation talks.

Scene at Bürgenstock

Security preparations had already been completed for the planned summit. Around 2,000 soldiers were deployed to secure the luxury hotel overlooking Lake Lucerne, and a no-fly zone was imposed over the mountain from 18 to 20 June. No new date has been set, and the Swiss foreign ministry said it would not comment further on the schedule.