US Vice President JD Vance's planned departure for technical nuclear negotiations with Iran was postponed on Thursday, 19 June, with the White House citing unresolved logistical hurdles — even as both sides said they remained committed to launching the next phase of talks under a recently signed memorandum of understanding.

What the White House Said

A White House spokesperson confirmed late Thursday that departure plans had not been finalised. 'As the Vice President said at his press conference, the plans for the upcoming technical talks have not been finalised, and the US delegation has been prepared to depart at the first available opportunity,' the spokesperson said. 'But the logistics of these negotiations have never been simple or predictable.'

The spokesperson added that no new departure schedule had been set, but officials remained focused on beginning the talks as soon as possible. 'We will let you know as soon as we have a concrete update about next steps,' the statement read.

Vance's Own Words on the Delay

Earlier on Thursday, Vance had told reporters at a White House briefing that technical discussions were expected to begin within days, most likely in Switzerland. 'We think these technical negotiations are going to start sometime this weekend,' he said.

Acknowledging the difficulty of coordinating with the Iranian side, Vance said: 'Our plan is to go to Switzerland, I don't know exactly when. That could change because it's not an easy country, Iran, to get out of and so we're trying to figure out exactly when that's going to happen.'

When asked whether he would travel immediately, the vice president said: 'I may, it just depends on exactly when the Iranians can get there. We're trying to figure that out as we speak.' He confirmed he expects to lead the American delegation: 'I'm certainly planning to lead the US negotiating team.'

What the Talks Are Expected to Cover

The negotiations are focused on translating the political framework agreement into a workable implementation plan. Key agenda items reportedly include inspection procedures, verification mechanisms, and the disposal of Iran's enriched uranium stockpile.

Vance described the complexity of the task: 'How do you destroy this highly-enriched uranium — all that stuff that you really just have to get into the nitty gritty on.' The administration has signalled a trust-but-verify posture. 'We don't trust words. We trust action and we trust conduct,' Vance said.

The 60-Day Clock Begins

Vance indicated that the implementation window outlined in the agreement formally began on Thursday, 19 June. 'I would say the 60-day period officially started today,' he said — meaning both sides are now operating under a defined timeline to complete technical negotiations and demonstrate compliance.

This comes amid broader uncertainty over whether a durable agreement can be reached, with implementation details — particularly on uranium enrichment and international inspections — historically proving to be the most contentious elements in US-Iran nuclear diplomacy. Administration officials insist the negotiations remain on course despite the delay in Vance's departure.