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US Special Envoy Steve Witkoff is on his way to Switzerland for the first round of US-Iran nuclear talks, according to multiple reports, as a ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah in Lebanon appeared to revive diplomatic efforts. Jared Kushner, President Donald Trump's son-in-law and envoy, is already in Switzerland ahead of the negotiations.

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The trip follows a week of disruptions. Scheduled negotiations between the US and Iran had been postponed, with Vice President JD Vance cancelling his planned travel on Thursday due to logistical issues, as reported by the White House and cited by multiple outlets. The cancellation came amid rising tension in Lebanon, where renewed fighting between Israeli forces and Hezbollah had cast doubt over the talks.

A ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah was announced on Friday afternoon, according to Deutsche Welle, and reports indicate it has helped get the diplomatic process back on track. The South China Morning Post reported that the ceasefire followed a 14-point memorandum signed earlier this week to halt fighting and open a 60-day window to resolve disputes over Iran's nuclear programme.

According to Axios, as cited by multiple outlets including Al Jazeera, Deutsche Welle, and the Jerusalem Post, Witkoff is headed to Switzerland where he is expected to meet Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi. Axios reported that Araghchi was planning to travel to Switzerland on Saturday, though plans could still change. A source with knowledge of the matter told Axios that Araghchi could join the US delegation on Sunday.

Jared Kushner, who also served as a White House envoy in the Middle East, is already in Switzerland, according to Axios, as cited by TASS and the Jerusalem Post. The Jerusalem Post also reported that Qatari Prime Minister Mohammad Bin Abdul Rahman al-Thani arrived in Switzerland on Friday to mediate the talks.

Key claims

  • Steve Witkoff is en route to Switzerland for talks with Iran, as reported by Axios and cited by multiple outlets including Al Jazeera, Deutsche Welle, and the Jerusalem Post.
  • Jared Kushner is already in Switzerland ahead of negotiations, according to Axios.
  • Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi is expected to travel to Switzerland, possibly on Saturday or Sunday, though plans could change, according to Axios.
  • The US-Iran talks were originally scheduled for Friday but were postponed, with Vice President JD Vance cancelling his trip due to logistical issues, as announced by the White House.
  • A ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah was announced on Friday, helping to revive the talks, as reported by Deutsche Welle and the South China Morning Post.
  • A 14-point memorandum was signed to halt fighting and open a 60-day window for resolving nuclear disputes, according to the South China Morning Post.
  • Iran's delegation has arrived in Switzerland, including Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi and Parliament Speaker Mohammed-Bagher Ghalibaf, according to the Swiss Foreign Ministry, as reported by the Jerusalem Post.
  • An emergency session on the Israel-Hezbollah conflict has been added to the first day of the Switzerland talks, according to CBS News, as reported by the Jerusalem Post.

Perspectives

The US and Iran have differing expectations for the talks. Iran views a ceasefire in Lebanon as essential to the diplomatic process, according to sources quoted by Axios, and wants to see the ceasefire hold before Foreign Minister Araghchi travels to Switzerland. The US, for its part, is working to get technical talks following up on an initial peace deal back on track, as CNN reported, with Witkoff and Kushner preparing for negotiations.