U.S. bid to launch Iran nuclear talks in Switzerland stalls as Tehran cites Israeli strikes; Vance stays in Washington

Planned U.S.-Iran technical talks in Switzerland were delayed after Iran declined to attend, citing ongoing Israeli airstrikes on Hezbollah in Lebanon. Although Israel and Hezbollah renewed a temporary ceasefire, Iran said Israeli forces must withdraw from southern Lebanon, a condition not explicitly required by the interim agreement. Iran had previously pressured negotiations by effectively shutting down the Strait of Hormuz, unsettling global energy markets. The renewed impasse adds to supply uncertainty and puts short-term upward pressure on crude prices.