Switzerland confirms postponement of US–Iran talks as diplomatic preparations continue

ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - The planned talks between the United States and Iran in Switzerland, with Pakistani and Qatari participation, “have been postponed,” the Swiss foreign ministry confirmed to Rudaw on Friday, while affirming that Bern remains ready to facilitate them.

“The planned talks between the US, Iran, Qatar, and Pakistan have been postponed,” the Swiss Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA) said in an email.

“Switzerland remains ready to facilitate these talks,” the Swiss foreign ministry affirmed, adding that “the relevant preparatory work at Burgenstock is continuing,” while “no further information can be provided at present.”

The statement comes shortly after a White House official earlier in the day stated that US Vice President JD Vance postponed his planned Friday trip to Switzerland for high-level talks with Iranian officials.

“The plans for the upcoming technical talks [in Switzerland] have not been finalized,” the official said, adding that while “the US delegation has been prepared to depart at the first available opportunity, the logistics of these negotiations have never been simple or predictable.”

“As of now, the Vice President is not departing tonight [Friday],” the official said, signalling that the timeline remains fluid and adding, “We look forward to beginning technical talks as soon as possible.”

Meanwhile, Tasnim News Agency, affiliated with Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), cited an informed source as saying that “nothing has been finalized regarding the Iranian delegation’s trip to Switzerland,” adding that “consultations in this regard have not been completed."

The source added that it would become clear “in the coming hours” whether the delegation would travel on Friday, and that if the trip is indeed set to proceed, “the details will be announced.”

The postponement comes a day after the Swiss foreign ministry had reported on Thursday that American and Iranian officials were set to meet at Burgenstock - a premier venue for high-level international diplomacy in central Switzerland near Lake Lucerne - for “initial negotiations” on implementing the preliminary understanding signed earlier that day.

“Switzerland welcomes the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding between the United States and Iran at the highest level,” the ministry then stated, describing the agreement as “an important step toward de-escalation in the region.”

Bern further noted on Thursday that the meeting would see the participation of “mediators from Pakistan and Qatar and other involved countries.”