US-Iran talks in Switzerland cancelled, clashes between Israel and Hezbollah in Lebanon

The talks were scheduled to begin in the small Swiss village of Obburgen on Friday, two days after signing a memorandum of understanding (MOU) that opened a 60-day window to negotiate a permanent consensus on Iran's nuclear programme, as oil traffic through the Strait of Hormuz set in motion.

The White House said the US is looking forward to “starting technical talks as soon as possible”, while announcing that JD Vance, who is leading negotiations for the Trump administration, will no longer travel.

The logistics of these negotiations has never been simple or predictable. So far, the vice president will not leave today”, a White House spokesman said late Thursday.

The annulment of the talks came as Israel and Hezbollah exchanged their most violent attacks since the ceasefire was imposed.

Hezbollah targeted Israeli forces near the southern city of Nabatieh, Lebanon, with several rockets late Thursday, following the interrupted Israeli bombings throughout the day. Israel responded with a wave of air strikes in the city and surrounding cities, leaving some dead and injured, including children.

Hezbollah said it was aimed at Israeli forces, which were trying to advance towards the hills around Nabatieh a hot spot where there has been fighting interrupted since the US-Iran ceasefire was declared. Ahead of the ceasefire, Israeli forces were advancing towards the southern Lebanese city.