US-Iran Meeting in Switzerland Canceled

US Vice President JD Vance has withdrawn from planned talks with Iranian negotiators in Switzerland on Friday over the implementation of the 14-point agreement between Washington and Tehran, the White House said.

US officials had planned a formal signing ceremony in Geneva, but Iran called it unnecessary after both presidents signed the accord on Wednesday. The Tasnim news agency reported that Tehran first wanted signs that Washington was implementing the interim deal.

The uncertainty has raised doubts over whether a lasting ceasefire can be secured in a war that has killed at least 7,000 people.

Israel, which was excluded from the peace talks and has distanced itself from the agreement, continued its attacks on the terror group Hezbollah in Lebanon and released a map showing an expanded occupation zone.

Trump also faces criticism from Republican allies who say he conceded too much. The memorandum grants Iran sanctions relief, unfreezes assets worth tens of billions of dollars and allows it to continue exporting oil.

Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei said Trump had signed the agreement “out of desperation”.

(Reuters, Max)