In pictures: Delegations descend upon Switzerland's Burgenstock ahead of highly anticipated US-Iran talks

Delegations from the United States, Iran, Pakistan and Qatar arrived at Switzerland’s Burgenstock on Sunday for “technical-level” talks aimed at ironing out the details of the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding signed by Tehran and Washington to bring an end to the conflict that has engulfed the majority of the Middle East.

On the table today several important issues: the lifting of the US blockade of Iran, reopening the Strait of Hormuz, Israeli strikes on Lebanon and Hezbollah, unfreezing of Iranian assets, and the sale of the country’s oil.

Each side will participate in bilateral talks ahead of the quadrilateral talks including mediators Pakistan and Qatar scheduled for Sunday afternoon.

Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf and Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi arrive at Zurich Airport, in Zurich, Switzerland, June 20, 2026. ─ Reuters

Iran’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Seyyed Abbas Araghchi (C) arrives at the Burgenstock resort in Obbuergen, near Lucerne on June 21, 2026. ─ Reuters

Speaker of the Parliament of Iran, Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf (R) arrives at the Burgenstock resort in Obbuergen, near Lucerne on June 21. — AFP

A police car is parked near a hamlet close to the Burgenstock luxury hotel complex overlooking Lake Lucerne, Switzerland, on June 21, 2026. ─ AFP

Flags of Switzerland, United States, Qatar, Pakistan and local Swiss canton of Nidwalden are photographed at the Burgenstock luxury hotel complex overlooking Lake Lucerne, Switzerland, on June 21. — AFP

A Swiss Army Helicopter flies all around the Buergenstock resort in Obbuergen, near Lucerne, Switzerland, Sunday, June 21, 2026. ─ Reuters

Members of US Vice President JD Vance’s staff arrive for high-level talks aimed at advancing a deal to end the Middle East conflict, at Emmen Military Air Base, in Emmen, Switzerland, on June 21. — AFP

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif gestures upon his arrival at the Burgenstock luxury hotel complex overlooking Lake Lucerne, Switzerland, on June 21. — AFP

US Vice President JD Vance (L) waits, alongside US President Donald Trump’s special envoy Steve Witkoff (C) and Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner, to meet with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, at the Burgenstock luxury hotel complex overlooking Lake Lucerne, Switzerland, on June 21, 2026. ─ AFP

Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi arrives for a bilateral meeting with Switzerland’s counterpart at the Burgenstock luxury hotel complex overlooking Lake Lucerne, Switzerland, on June 21. — AFP

Iran’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Seyyed Abbas Araghchi (L) and Swiss Federal Council, Ignazio Cassis shake hands as they take part in bilateral discussions at the Burgenstock resort in Obbuergen, near Lucerne on June 21. — AFP

US Vice President JD Vance (2ndL), US President Donald Trump’s special envoy Steve Witkoff (2ndR) and Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner (R) meet with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif (2ndR) and Chief of Defence Forces Field Marshal Asim Munir (L) at the Burgenstock luxury hotel complex overlooking Lake Lucerne, Switzerland, on June 21, 2026. ─ AFP

US Vice President JD Vance (R) shakes hands with Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif at the Burgenstock luxury hotel complex overlooking Lake Lucerne, Switzerland, on June 21, 2026. ─ AFP

Header image: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif gestures upon his arrival at the Burgenstock luxury hotel complex overlooking Lake Lucerne, Switzerland, on June 21. — AFP ...