United States special envoy Steve Witkoff and Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi are expected to travel to Switzerland for renewed discussions, according to Axios on Friday.
The planned talks come as a ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah in Lebanon has raised hopes of advancing efforts to transform a temporary agreement on the Iran conflict into a broader and more enduring regional settlement.
The ceasefire, agreed to on Friday by Israel and Hezbollah, followed days of intensified hostilities that had threatened to derail sensitive U.S.-Iran negotiations.
Those talks are viewed as crucial to efforts aimed at reopening the Strait of Hormuz and ensuring stability in global oil supplies.
Earlier this week, both sides signed a 14-point memorandum designed to halt hostilities and create a 60-day period for negotiations. The framework seeks to address disagreements surrounding Iran’s nuclear programme and other contentious issues considered essential to achieving a longer-term agreement.
Amid the escalating tensions in Lebanon, U.S. Vice President JD Vance abandoned plans on Thursday to attend the Switzerland talks. The worsening security situation involving Israel and the Iran-backed militant group Hezbollah had cast uncertainty over the diplomatic engagement.
With the ceasefire now in effect, Axios reported that Witkoff is travelling to Switzerland, where Jared Kushner, President Donald Trump’s son-in-law, is already present. The report added that Araqchi is scheduled to arrive in Switzerland on Saturday.
