Vice President JD Vance's trip to Switzerland to kick off negotiations with Iran has been postponed, the White House said, as clashes between Israel and Hezbollah, which Tehran has emphasized as an integral part of the deal, continue.
"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 on Thursday night. "As of now the Vice President is not departing tonight. We look forward to beginning technical talks as soon as possible."
A U.S. official told Axios that Iranian claims about violations of the ceasefire by Israel could be the reason for the delay. Israel and Hezbollah engaged in heavy fighting on Thursday night. Four IDF soldiers were killed in south Lebanon, and five soldiers were wounded hours later. The Lebanese health ministry, in turn, said 18 people were killed and 33 people were wounded by Israeli strikes.
The IDF said it killed dozens of Hezbollah operatives through more than 80 targets over the past hours, reacting to the group's "repeated violations" of the ceasefire.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu hac claimed earlier on Thursday that troops will stay in southern Lebanon as along as needed.
Speaking during a ceremony, Netanyahu 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." Tens of thousands of residents of northern Israel have evacuated as a result of continued clashes with Hezbollah.
A senior Israeli official told Reuters on Thursday that the country is "conducting stubborn negotiations" over the situation in the country.
The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) also published an updated map of its security zone saying troops won't withdraw at the moment.
President Donald Trump, on his end, said in a social media publication that 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."
"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," he added.
JD Vance, on his end, took aim at Israel over discontent with the memorandum of understanding. Speaking during a press briefing at the White House, Vance appeared to make reference to public criticism made by firebrand cabinet officials Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich and National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir.
"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.
"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," he added.
