At least 16 more people have been killed by intensified Israeli military strikes in Lebanon, as escalating regional tensions disrupted planned diplomatic efforts between Iran and the United States.

According to sources in Iran’s Foreign Ministry, the Iranian delegation led by Chief Negotiator Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf and Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi was fully prepared to travel to Switzerland for scheduled talks in Bürgenstock. However, ongoing Israeli military operations forced a last-minute cancellation of the visit.

Officials said the delegation was unable to depart due to security concerns arising from continued Israeli strikes in Lebanon and the wider region. The disruption comes at a time when diplomatic engagement between Tehran and Washington was expected to resume under Swiss mediation.

Separately, the Swiss Foreign Ministry confirmed that the planned Iran-US negotiations will no longer take place as scheduled. It added that Switzerland remains ready to host and facilitate future talks, while preparations in Bürgenstock continue despite the cancellation.

No new date or location for the talks has been announced so far by either side.

The cancellation follows heightened instability in the Middle East, with Israeli operations in Lebanon described by local sources as some of the most intense in recent weeks.

The development also comes after reports that US Vice President JD Vance postponed his travel to Switzerland, further complicating diplomatic efforts aimed at easing regional tensions.

Diplomatic observers say the breakdown in talks highlights the fragility of ongoing peace efforts amid continued military escalation in the region.