High-level talks between the US and Iran that were initially scheduled for Friday in Switzerland are now off, the Swiss foreign ministry says.
"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 Swiss Federal Department of Foreign Affairs said in a statement to Business Insider.
The trip was initially meant to solidify an agreement struck between Tehran and the US to bring an end to the conflict in Iran.
President Donald Trump and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian on Wednesday signed an interim deal to end the war.
The 14-point memorandum of understanding (MOU) on Wednesday involved an agreement to halt military operations in the region — a reprieve from four months of conflict.
The MOU opened a 60-day timeframe for negotiations on Iran's nuclear armaments, while creating a window for oil to start moving through the Strait of Hormuz — a crucial waterway through which 20% of the global supply of liquefied natural gas and oil flows.
Earlier on Thursday, Vance said during a White House press briefing that his "plan is to go to Switzerland," but he was unsure "exactly when."
"We think these technical negotiations are going to start sometime this weekend. That's still the plan, but that could change, because it's not an easy country — Iran — to get out of, and so we're trying to figure out exactly when that's going to happen," Vance said. "I suspect this weekend, but I'm not sure."
On Thursday evening, however, a White House spokesperson said Vance would not travel to Switzerland on Friday, per a statement to The New York Times.
"The plans for the upcoming technical talks have not been finalized, and the US delegation has been prepared to depart at the first available opportunity," the White House said in the statement. "But the logistics of these negotiations have never been simple or predictable."
The White House did not immediately respond to a request for comment from Business Insider.
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Amanda is a senior reporter at Business Insider's Singapore bureau. She covers real estate and lifestyle, with a focus on the stories of everyday people and how they live and find home in different places, particularly across Asia.Her work explores relocation trends and alternative living, often intersecting with travel, culture, wellness, and relationships.In 2025, she won the Singapore Press Club's Rising Stars Young Digital Journalist Award.She previously worked as a writer and video producer at a content marketing agency in Singapore. She graduated from the University at Buffalo with a BA (Hons) in Sociology.Got a tip? Reach her at [email protected].Selected stories:
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