BERN (Realist English). Just two days after the signing of the US-Iran memorandum of understanding, the negotiation process has hit its first serious crisis.
Vice President JD Vance cancelled his planned trip to Switzerland on June 19, where the signing ceremony and the start of technical talks with the Iranian side were to take place.
The White House cited “logistical difficulties,” but according to media reports, the real reason is the lack of a final agreement on the parameters of the meeting.
The Swiss Foreign Ministry confirmed that the talks have been postponed indefinitely.
What Happened: The Breakdown of Talks
Initially, Vance was scheduled to fly to Switzerland on the night of June 19 for a meeting with Iranian negotiators at the mountain resort of Obbergen.
However, on the evening of June 18, the White House announced that the trip had been cancelled.
The White House statement said: “Plans for the upcoming technical talks were not finalised, and the US delegation is ready to fly at the earliest opportunity. But the logistics of these talks have never been simple or predictable.”
Earlier that day, Vance acknowledged that he himself did not know whether the talks would take place over the weekend.
The Iranian side, according to media reports, also postponed the dispatch of its delegation, citing ongoing Israeli strikes on Hezbollah in Lebanon.
Trump in Axios Interview: ‘There are no limits’
Against the backdrop of the failed talks, President Donald Trump gave an interview to Axios in which he tried to present the situation as his victory.
He called the signed memorandum Iran’s “unconditional surrender.”
“We completely defeated them militarily,” Trump said, noting that the war demonstrated US military might.
Asked whether he recognised any limits to his power, Trump replied: “There are no limits.” At the same time, he admitted that he went ahead with the deal to prevent a global economic depression: “This is what could have caused a worldwide depression.” Trump also called his hawkish critics “fools,” saying that continued bombing would not have opened the Strait of Hormuz.
60 Days to Save the Deal
Under the terms of the memorandum, the parties have 60 days to conclude a final agreement on Iran’s nuclear programme.
Iran has agreed to “downblend” its stockpiles of highly enriched uranium under IAEA supervision and has confirmed that it will not develop nuclear weapons. In return, the US lifts sanctions and unfreezes tens of billions of dollars in assets.
However, as critics note, Iran has emerged from the war in a stronger position, having retained control over the Strait of Hormuz.
Trump himself confirmed that if no final agreement is reached within 60 days, he is ready to “go back to bombing.”