WASHINGTON: US envoy Steve Witkoff and Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi were both heading to Switzerland for talks, Axios reported on Friday, as a ceasefire in Lebanon appeared to revive efforts to transform an interim Iran war agreement into a lasting regional deal.
Israel and Hezbollah agreed to a ceasefire in Lebanon on Friday after escalating clashes had raised doubts over US-Iran talks that are seen as crucial for reopening the Strait of Hormuz and stabilising global oil supplies.
The development followed a 14-point memorandum signed by the two sides earlier this week to halt fighting and create a 60-day period to address disputes over Iran’s nuclear programme and other complex issues required for a more comprehensive agreement.
US Vice President JD Vance cancelled plans on Thursday to travel to Switzerland for the talks amid increasing tensions between Israel and Hezbollah in Lebanon.
With the ceasefire now in place, despite Israeli violations reported the previous day that resulted in more than 30 deaths, Witkoff is travelling to Switzerland to join Jared Kushner, US President Donald Trump’s son-in-law, who is already there, Axios reported.
Araghchi is expected to travel to Switzerland on Saturday, according to the report.
The move could indicate that both sides are preparing to begin technical negotiations aimed at reaching a permanent ceasefire.
The White House did not respond to questions regarding Witkoff’s travel plans.
A senior US official said the ceasefire came into effect around 4pm (1800 GMT) in Lebanon following an exchange of fire, adding that US and Qatari negotiators had helped broker the agreement with assistance from Iran.
Two Hezbollah sources and a senior Israeli official confirmed the ceasefire to Reuters.
“If Hezbollah does not attack us, then for us it is not a time of war,” the Israeli official said, adding that Israel would maintain its forces in southern Lebanon, where it has occupied an area along its northern border.
Two Lebanese security sources said Israel carried out around a dozen airstrikes during the first hour after the ceasefire began, though no further strikes were reported after 5pm.
Lebanon’s health ministry said Israeli strikes after midnight into Friday killed 47 people and wounded 97 others. The Israeli military said four soldiers were killed in an incident in Lebanon but provided no further details.
The conflict in Lebanon could affect the negotiations, as ending the fighting there is considered a condition for the wider US-Iran agreement.
Tough issues remain unresolved
Following the signing of Wednesday’s memorandum of understanding, preparations for technical discussions at the Swiss mountain resort of Buergenstock were already advanced before the White House announced on Thursday that Vance would not participate.
The Swiss foreign ministry said the talks had been postponed but added that Switzerland remained ready to facilitate the discussions and that preparatory work was continuing.
The broad interim agreement requires the United States, Iran and their allies to announce an immediate and permanent end to military operations on all fronts, including in Lebanon.