Vice President JD Vance postponed a planned trip to Switzerland for the first round of technical negotiations with Iran, injecting fresh uncertainty into a U.S.-brokered peace framework already facing resistance from Israel and renewed fighting in Lebanon.
The White House confirmed Thursday night that the American delegation was prepared to travel but said negotiations would not begin immediately as diplomatic and logistical challenges continued to complicate efforts to move from a ceasefire agreement toward a broader settlement.
"The U.S. delegation has been prepared to depart at the first available opportunity. But the logistics of these negotiations have never been simple or predictable," the White House said in a statement. "As of now the Vice President is not departing tonight. We look forward to beginning technical talks as soon as possible."
The delay comes at a sensitive moment for President Donald Trump's administration, which has been trying to transform a recently signed memorandum of understanding with Tehran into a wider agreement covering regional security, nuclear issues and the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz.
According to Axios, a U.S. official said Iranian complaints regarding alleged Israeli violations of the ceasefire may have contributed to the postponement. The concerns emerged after one of the deadliest rounds of fighting in weeks between Israel and Hezbollah along the Lebanese border.
Israeli and Lebanese authorities reported significant casualties following the latest clashes. Four Israeli soldiers were killed in southern Lebanon, while another five were wounded hours later. Lebanon's health ministry said Israeli strikes killed 18 people and injured 33 others.
The Israeli Defense Forces said it had struck more than 80 targets and killed dozens of Hezbollah operatives, describing the operation as a response to what it called the group's "repeated violations" of the ceasefire.
The fighting has intensified a dispute over one of the most contentious aspects of the U.S.-Iran framework: Lebanon. Iranian officials have repeatedly argued that any lasting agreement requires an end to hostilities across all fronts, including the conflict involving Hezbollah.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu signaled little willingness to alter Israel's military posture. Speaking during a public ceremony Thursday, he said restoring "security and prosperity to northern towns" requires "maintaining the security zone in southern Lebanon; it requires that we not leave there, as long as Israel's security needs require it."
The remarks underscore the gap between Washington's push for regional de-escalation and Israel's insistence that military operations remain necessary to protect communities near the Lebanese border. Tens of thousands of residents have been displaced from northern Israel during the conflict.
A senior Israeli official told Reuters that Israel is "conducting stubborn negotiations" regarding Lebanon-related issues. Meanwhile, the IDF published an updated map of its security zone, signaling that no immediate withdrawal is planned.
President Trump attempted to reassure both markets and regional partners that diplomacy remains on track. In a social media post, he emphasized that the administration remains committed to the agreement despite growing tensions.
"The United States is committed to PEACE, and we encourage everyone in the Middle East Region to maintain their commitment to allowing our negotiations to beautifully unfold," Trump wrote.
He added: "The Markets are loving what is happening with Oil Prices way down, and Stocks way up. We expect a complete Ceasefire on all fronts, including Lebanon, Hezbollah, and Israel."
Vance has also emerged as one of the administration's most vocal defenders of the agreement. During a White House briefing, he criticized Israeli political figures who have publicly attacked the deal.
"If I was in the cabinet of the Israeli government, I might not be attacking the only powerful ally that I have left," Vance said.
He followed with an even sharper warning directed at critics of the administration's approach.
"The problem for Israel is not Donald J. Trump, and anybody in Israel who thinks their biggest problem is the President of the United States needs to wake up and smell the reality of the situation that country is in," Vance said.
