Pakistan Facilitates High-Level US-Iran Technical Talks in Switzerland Following Peace Accord

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Chief of Defence Forces Field Marshal Asim Munir departed early Sunday morning for Switzerland to oversee technical-level negotiations between Iran and the United States.

These talks follow the recent signing of a landmark peace deal on Thursday, which aims to resolve months of intense regional hostility and stabilize a volatile global economic climate. The agreement establishes a framework to end active hostilities, lift the US blockade on Iran, and ensure the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz.

The Foreign Office (FO) confirmed that PM Shehbaz and CDF Munir are traveling to Bürgenstock to participate in discussions focused on the implementation of the “Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding (MoU).” The Prime Minister’s Office noted that the premier departed around 1:00 AM.

According to the FO, these talks represent the first formal engagement between Washington and Tehran since the signing of the Islamabad MoU on June 17. High-level delegations from the US, Iran, and Qatar are expected to attend.

The FO reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to advancing the understandings reached between the two nations, noting that PM Shehbaz intends to hold bilateral meetings with delegations from Iran, Qatar, Switzerland, and the US to promote durable regional peace. The FO emphasized that Pakistan’s facilitative role underscores its balanced and constructive diplomatic approach, which includes hosting previous rounds of talks that led to the current MoU.

US Vice President JD Vance also departed for Switzerland on Saturday, stating that the primary objectives of the negotiations are Iran’s nuclear program and a ceasefire in Lebanon. Speaking at Joint Base Andrews, Vance expressed optimism regarding progress on these two critical issues, though he noted his participation would be brief.

Addressing the situation in Lebanon, Vance suggested that while conditions are improving, constant management is required to ensure the security of both Israel and Lebanon, citing the difficulty of breaking the cycle of retaliatory violence to maintain a lasting ceasefire.

Vance further noted that US negotiators Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff were already on the ground in Switzerland to handle the technical aspects of the discussions.

The Swiss foreign ministry confirmed the arrival of the Iranian delegation early Sunday, stating via X that the team is heading to Bürgenstock to implement the MoU.

According to the official news agency IRNA, the Iranian delegation is led by Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf and Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi. Other key attendees include Ali Bagheri of the Supreme National Security Council, Central Bank Governor Abdolnaser Hemmati, National Iranian Oil Company CEO Hamid Bovard, Deputy FM Kazem Gharibabad, and Esmail Baqaei.

The Foreign Office had previously announced on Saturday that the Bürgenstock talks would include representatives from the US and Iran, with Pakistan and Qatar serving as mediators to ensure the continued progress of the Islamabad MoU.

In an interview with Fox News, JD Vance remarked that while negotiations are progressing well, the United States maintains a strong strategic advantage in the process.

Meanwhile, Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baqaei, as reported by the Fars news agency, stated that Iran intends to ensure the US fulfills its obligations. Baqaei emphasized that Iran has adhered to the agreement and insists that the US must compel Israel to cease attacks on Lebanon, warning that failure to implement these commitments could jeopardize the entire deal.

The 14-point agreement was signed by US President Donald Trump and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, with PM Shehbaz acting as the mediator. The deal concludes over 100 days of conflict and provides a 60-day timeline for further negotiations. Upon reaching a final agreement regarding Iran’s nuclear program, the US will facilitate the release of a $300 billion reconstruction fund supported by regional partners.

Source link