US-Iran peace talks in Switzerland postponed; deadly fighting in Lebanon threatens fragile truce

Talks between the United States and Iran scheduled for Friday in Switzerland have been postponed, Swiss authorities said, as fresh violence in Lebanon cast a shadow over efforts to cement a newly signed agreement to end the West Asia conflict.

The Swiss foreign ministry said negotiations involving the United States, Iran, Qatar and Pakistan would not go ahead as planned at the Bürgenstock resort, without providing a new date.

"The planned talks between the US, Iran, Qatar and Pakistan have been postponed. Switzerland remains ready to facilitate these talks. The relevant preparatory work at Bürgenstock is continuing. No further information can be provided at present," the ministry said in a statement.

The delay comes days after Washington and Tehran signed a framework agreement that gives the two sides 60 days to negotiate a final settlement, including arrangements concerning Iran's nuclear programme.

"The logistics of these negotiations have never been simple or predictable," a White House spokesperson said on Thursday.

The White House also confirmed that Vice President JD Vance would no longer travel to Switzerland because plans for the talks had not been finalised.

According to CNN, citing multiple sources, American and Iranian negotiators have been working on confidential proposals detailing how the agreement's 14 points would be implemented, including provisions relating to Iran's nuclear activities.

Iran has warned that it would respond forcefully to any violation of the deal.

"In the event of bad faith, breach of contract, and excessive demands by the opposing side, we have no hesitation in delivering a crushing response to the enemy," chief negotiator Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf said.

Meanwhile, continued hostilities in Lebanon threatened to complicate efforts to preserve the accord, which calls for an immediate halt to military operations across the region.

Lebanon's health ministry said Israeli strikes killed at least 18 people on Friday, with the death toll expected to increase.

Israel's military said four soldiers were killed overnight in southern Lebanon when a Hezbollah explosive device struck a Merkava tank near Kfar Tebnit.

The four soldiers, all commanders in the 52nd Battalion, died inside the tank, marking the deadliest single incident for Israeli forces since the conflict erupted three months ago.