In a notable development in the negotiations between the United States and Iran, the Swiss Federal Department of Foreign Affairs announced that the first round of talks between the two sides will not take place today, Friday, in Bürgenstock as previously planned.

This comes after US Vice President JD Vance cancelled his scheduled visit to Switzerland today, where he was expected to meet with Iranian negotiators ahead of the start of discussions on the 14 point memorandum of understanding, according to a White House spokesperson.

U.S. Vice President JD Vance (AFP).

In a statement issued on Thursday evening, a White House spokesperson said that Vance and the US delegation were ready to depart as soon as the final details of the talks were completed, but noted that "the logistical aspects of these negotiations have never been easy or predictable." There was no immediate response from the Iranian government.

Earlier this week, US officials had stated that a formal signing ceremony for the US Iran agreement would be held in Geneva. However, Iran's Ministry of Foreign Affairs indicated that this was no longer necessary after the presidents of the two countries, Donald Trump and Masoud Pezeshkian, signed the agreement electronically on Wednesday night.

Iran had previously announced its readiness to begin technical discussions after both sides agreed to extend the ceasefire for at least 60 days under the agreement. However, the semiofficial Tasnim News Agency reported earlier on Thursday that Iranian negotiators needed to see signs that the United States was implementing the memorandum of understanding before starting new rounds of peace talks, adding that there was no confirmation that Iran's delegation would travel to Geneva.

The Iranian capital Tehran (AFP).

Mojtaba Khamenei's First Comment on the Memorandum of Understanding

For his part, Iran's Supreme Leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, announced on Thursday his approval of the memorandum of understanding signed by Washington and Tehran to end the Middle East war, despite expressing reservations about it. Meanwhile, US forces announced the lifting of the naval blockade that had been imposed on Iranian ports.

In his first reaction to the signing of the memorandum of understanding with the United States, Khamenei said: "Naturally, I held a different view, but I authorized it nonetheless." He did not provide any further details on the matter.

In a written message, Khamenei, who has not appeared publicly since assuming office last March, added: "It is self-evident that any direct negotiations held in the future will in no way constitute submission to the enemy's position."

Iranian newspapers mock Trump after the signing of the memorandum of understanding (AFP)