Witkoff, Araqchi Head to Switzerland as Lebanon Ceasefire Revives Iran Talks
US envoy Steve Witkoff and Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi are both travelling to Switzerland for talks, Axios reported on Friday, as a Lebanon ceasefire appears to have revived efforts to convert an interim Iran war pact into a lasting regional deal.
Israel and Hezbollah agreed to the Lebanon ceasefire on Friday, easing doubts that had clouded US-Iran negotiations, which observers consider critical to reopening the Strait of Hormuz and stabilising oil supplies.
The truce follows a 14-point memorandum the two sides signed earlier this week, opening a 60-day window to resolve disputes over Iran’s nuclear programme and other outstanding issues.
However, US Vice President JD Vance cancelled plans on Thursday to travel to Switzerland amid rising Israel-Hezbollah tensions. With the ceasefire now in place, Witkoff will join Jared Kushner, President Donald Trump’s son-in-law, who has already arrived in Switzerland, while Araqchi plans to arrive Saturday, according to Axios. The White House did not respond to questions about Witkoff’s travel.
Technical Talks Resume at Swiss Resort
Preparations for technical negotiations at the Buergenstock resort were well advanced before Vance’s withdrawal. The Swiss foreign ministry confirmed it has postponed the talks rather than cancelled them, and Switzerland still stands ready to facilitate them.
The interim deal requires Washington, Tehran and their allies to declare an immediate, permanent end to military operations on all fronts, including Lebanon.
Israel, whom organisers excluded from the negotiations, maintains it is not party to the agreement. Speaking to his Pakistani counterpart Friday, Araqchi said the United States would bear responsibility for any violation of its commitments under the deal, including ending the fighting in Lebanon.
Lebanese President Joseph Aoun condemned recent Israeli attacks but insisted the escalation would not derail efforts toward a comprehensive ceasefire.
Meanwhile, Secretary of State Marco Rubio reiterated to Aoun the need to disarm Hezbollah while reaffirming US support for a sovereign Lebanese state. The next round of Israel-Lebanon talks will convene in Washington from 23 to 25 June.
Oil Markets React as Sanctions Relief Looms
The Iran war, which began 28 February, has killed at least 7,000 people and driven up global energy prices. Brent crude nonetheless headed for a weekly fall of roughly 8% after the ceasefire, as oil shipments through Hormuz picked up following this week’s signing.
The memorandum offers Iran sanctions relief, unfreezes assets worth tens of billions of dollars, and establishes a $300-billion reconstruction fund. Trump defended the agreement against domestic criticism, writing on social media Friday that the war had left Iran “FINISHED,” with the regime receiving no financial relief during the 60-day period.
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