Both the United States and Iran hope to avoid a total collapse of the peace process. However, diplomats acknowledge that the journey is likely to be filled with hurdles and a lack of trust.

Earlier plans had Vice President JD Vance traveling to Zurich on Friday to formalize a Memorandum of Understanding. This trip, however, was canceled. Iranian officials followed suit, also opting not to attend.

The unexpected cancellations point to the complexities and skepticism that cloud the ongoing negotiations.

Negotiators from both countries have set an ambitious timeline. They aim to convert the preliminary Memorandum, signed with fanfare by President Donald Trump, into a final peace agreement within 60 days. This tight deadline reflects an urgent desire for progress despite the challenges.