The United States and Iran signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to end the war, but final talks between the two countries are faltering even before they begin as clashes between Israel and Lebanon's Hezbollah intensify.
According to Reuters, on the 18th, the U.S. delegation, including U.S. Vice President JD Vance, planned to depart for Switzerland, where end-of-war talks with Iran are set to take place, but canceled the trip. Iran's Tasnim News also said regarding the Iranian delegation's visit to Switzerland for cease-fire talks that "nothing has been finalized," announcing the collapse of the meeting.
The White House said of Vice President Vance's canceled trip to Switzerland that "the working-level coordination of the negotiations is challenging." But U.S. media said it appeared to be related to "Iran's demands regarding Lebanon." With Israel continuing military operations against Lebanon's Hezbollah, the interpretation is that Iran has put off sending its delegation.
According to Reuters and others, the Israel Defense Forces said four soldiers were killed on the 19th (local time) in southern Lebanon in a Hezbollah attack. Israel also struck more than 80 sites in southern Lebanon and of Hezbollah, leaving at least 18 people wounded.
Article 1 of the end-of-war MOU signed by the United States and Iran states that military operations on all fronts, including Lebanon, will be halted immediately and permanently.