JERUSALEM (AP) — Talks between the U.S. and Iran were canceled on Friday following increased fighting between Israel and Hezbollah in southern Lebanon, according to three officials. Iranian officials did not attend the planned meetings in Switzerland, stating that the fighting must cease before negotiations can resume. U.S. Vice President JD Vance also canceled his trip.
Israel's military conducted airstrikes targeting locations in southern and eastern Lebanon overnight, with Hezbollah reporting significant fighting. Lebanon's Health Ministry reported at least 21 fatalities, while Israel confirmed the deaths of four soldiers.
The conflict between Israel and Hezbollah complicates the ongoing negotiations regarding Iran's nuclear program. Although neither Israel nor Hezbollah signed the agreement aimed at ending hostilities, the deal is intended to address the broader conflict involving Iran's influence in the region.
Mediators are working to reschedule discussions that were meant to focus on Iran's nuclear program, a central issue that has contributed to tensions in the region. The interim agreement has already led to the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz to international shipping, which had been disrupted due to Iranian threats.
The Israeli military reported ongoing strikes on Friday, following the deaths of four soldiers in an attack on a tank near Nabatiyeh. Israel accused Hezbollah of violating the ceasefire and stated it would respond decisively to attacks on its forces.
Hezbollah claimed its actions were in retaliation for Israeli violations of the ceasefire. The fighting has led to displacement among residents in southern Lebanon.
The ongoing conflict poses a risk to the recently signed agreement, which aims to ensure Lebanon's territorial integrity. Iran has called for Israel to withdraw from areas it occupies, while Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated that Israeli forces would remain in a security zone in southern Lebanon as long as necessary for Israel's security.
The White House attributed the cancellation of talks to logistical issues, while Iran insisted that Israeli attacks must cease before it would send a delegation to Switzerland. The discussions are expected to be challenging, as the previous nuclear deal took over 18 months to negotiate. The interim deal provides a 60-day window for reaching a new agreement, with potential incentives for Iran, including lifting international sanctions and a fund for postwar reconstruction.