The US and Iran have called off talks because of the fighting in Lebanon, officials say – nationally
Talks between the US and Iran were called off on Friday after intense fighting between Israel and Hezbollah in southern Lebanon, three officials said, raising questions about the recently concluded agreement to end hostilities in Iran.
Iranian officials did not go as planned to Switzerland, insisting that fighting in Lebanon must stop before talks can resume, according to the officials, who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss ongoing mediation to try to get the talks back on track. US Vice President JD Vance also canceled his trip.
Israeli forces raided villages in southern and eastern Lebanon overnight, while Hezbollah reported heavy fighting. Lebanon’s Ministry of Health said at least 21 people had died, while Israel said four soldiers had died.
The conflict between Israel and Iran backed by Hezbollah is the most dangerous part of the Iran deal. Neither Israel nor the militant group signed the agreement – but their fighting must end, and Iran has shown its willingness to risk renewed war in the region for its interests in Lebanon and its most important regional ally.
The negotiators are now trying to reschedule the meetings, which were supposed to start dealing with how to limit Iran’s nuclear program – the core issue where Israel and the US fought on February 28.
Negotiations should also end the conflict once and for all. The interim agreement has already reopened the Strait of Hormuz to international shipping, after Iranian attacks and threats all but stopped the flow of oil and natural gas through the waters. The new Iranian official charged with overseeing the directive issued on Friday urged ships to register with it as transit is currently free – indicating Tehran’s intention to possibly start charging.
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The Israeli army said strikes were continuing on Friday after four of its soldiers, including a lieutenant colonel, were killed in a tank attack in the southern village of Nabatiyeh. The drone strike that erupted wounded five others, it added.
Israel then launched multiple strikes on “Hezbollah infrastructure sites” in Nabatiyeh and elsewhere, according to a military statement, accusing the militant group of “deliberately violating the ceasefire.”
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Later, the army said they also attacked the Beqaa Valley in eastern Lebanon, and the Lebanese media said the village of Douris was hit.
“Israel will not tolerate attacks on our soldiers or on our territory, and will exact a very heavy price on Hezbollah for these attacks,” Netanyahu said in a statement on Friday.
Hezbollah admitted to targeting Israeli tanks and said the attack was in response to what it called Israel’s own violation of the ceasefire. It says that this attack happened after the Israeli army tried to reach the north of Ali al-Taher mountain, which is the point facing Nabatiyeh and the Israeli army has been trying to capture it.
In southern Lebanon, many were forced to flee their homes due to Israeli attacks.
“The situation is illegal, we could not stay,” said Mustafa Zain, who had his six daughters in the truck when he left Akaar through Tire.
The war threatens to destroy the recently signed agreement. Apart from ending hostilities in Lebanon, the agreement seeks to ensure the “integrity and sovereignty of Lebanon”.
It does not say whether that means Israel will withdraw from areas in southern Lebanon it has held since Hezbollah joined the war in its early days by firing rockets and drones into northern Israel.
Iran has insisted that Israel withdraw, and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Thursday that troops would remain in a “security zone” in southern Lebanon as long as “Israel’s security needs require it.”
Israel’s actions in Lebanon have fueled tensions between Israel and the US, as Trump continues to criticize his close ally Netanyahu. Netanyahu is also facing mounting criticism at home – and elsewhere.
Negotiations in Switzerland were postponed
Tehran insists that Israel’s attacks on Lebanon end before they send a delegation to Switzerland, according to officials.
The White House, however, blamed complications when Vance canceled his trip.
Two other regional officials, who spoke on condition of anonymity for the same reason, described Pakistan as “surprised” by Iran’s decision not to attend the talks.
Much remains to be resolved
The talks in Switzerland are expected to focus on Iran’s nuclear program. Tehran says it is peaceful, even though it has highly enriched uranium that could be used to build more atomic bombs, if it chose to do so, according to the International Atomic Energy Agency.
Those negotiations are expected to be very difficult. The 2015 nuclear deal, which Trump scrapped during his first term, took more than 18 months to negotiate.
The interim agreement gives negotiators 60 days to come up with a nuclear deal but that could be extended. It outlines lucrative incentives if Iran reaches a new deal, including the lifting of all international sanctions and a $300 billion fund for post-war reconstruction.
Iran has already won some deals. After the signing of the interim agreement, the US lifted its embargo on Iran’s ports and allowed it to sell its oil freely. The deal also calls for a freeze on Iran’s assets — though it’s not clear how soon.
Oil tankers began moving freely through the Strait of Hormuz this week after months of being unable to use the vital route. More than 12.5 million barrels of oil were shipped by ship Wednesday night, the US said.
However, it is expected to take weeks or months for normal oil and gas flows to resume, even if traffic fully resumes from the crisis.
© 2026 The Canadian Press
