US and Iranian Diplomats Head to Switzerland After Lebanon Ceasefire
US envoy Steve Witkoff and Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi are both travelling to Switzerland for talks, Axios reported on Friday, following a ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah in Lebanon that revived prospects for a broader regional deal.
Israel and Hezbollah agreed to a ceasefire on Friday after escalating violence threatened US-Iran negotiations aimed at reopening the Strait of Hormuz and stabilising oil supplies. The ceasefire followed a 14-point memorandum of understanding signed earlier this week between the United States and Iran, which includes a 60-day window to resolve disputes over Iran's nuclear programme and other issues.
US Vice President JD Vance had cancelled plans to travel to Switzerland for the talks on Thursday amid rising tensions in Lebanon. With the ceasefire in place, Witkoff is now heading to Switzerland to join Jared Kushner, President Donald Trump's son-in-law, who is already there. Araghchi plans to travel on Saturday, according to Axios.
The developments may signal that both sides intend to begin technical negotiations aimed at securing a permanent truce. The White House did not respond to questions about Witkoff's travel.
A senior US official said the ceasefire took effect around 4 p.m. local time in Lebanon following an exchange of fire, and that negotiators from the United States and Qatar, with help from Iran, had worked out the agreement. Two sources from Hezbollah and a senior Israeli official confirmed the ceasefire to Reuters.
Israeli forces remain in southern Lebanon, where they have occupied an area along the northern border. Two Lebanese security sources said Israel conducted a dozen airstrikes in the first hour of the ceasefire, but none after 5 p.m. Lebanon's health ministry reported that Israeli strikes after midnight into Friday killed 47 people and wounded 97. The Israeli military said four soldiers were killed in an incident in Lebanon.
The conflict in Lebanon is seen as a condition for the broader US-Iran accord. The Swiss foreign ministry said the talks had been postponed but that Switzerland stands ready to facilitate them and preparatory work continues.
Iranian Foreign Minister Araghchi, in a call with his Pakistani counterpart on Friday, said the United States would be responsible for any violation of its commitments under the deal, including ending the fighting in Lebanon.
The US State Department said Secretary of State Marco Rubio spoke with Lebanese President Joseph Aoun, reiterating the need to disarm Hezbollah and reaffirming support for a fully sovereign Lebanese state. They also discussed holding a next round of Israel-Lebanon negotiations in Washington from June 23 to June 25.
