PM Shehbaz, Qatari emir express satisfaction at 'positive progress' of US-Iran talks, agree to sustain momentum

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif held a phone call with the Qatari emir on Wednesday, during which he said the two leaders expressed satisfaction at the “positive progress” made in the first round of technical talks between the US and Iran in Switzerland and agreed to sustain this momentum.

“Had a warm and most cordial telephone conversation with my dear brother, His Highness Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, emir of the State of Qatar, this afternoon,” PM Shehbaz posted on X.

He added that he thanked the Qatari emir for his country’s “steadfast support for the peace efforts that culminated in the historic Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding”, which was signed by the US and Iran on June 18.

“We expressed satisfaction at the positive progress made during the first round of technical talks in Bürgenstock and agreed on the importance of sustaining this momentum through continued dialogue and diplomacy,” he wrote.

PM Shehbaz also thanked the Qatari emir for his “kind condolences on the tragic loss of a Pakistani national in the recent fire incident in Ras Laffan”, referring to the blast at the liquefied natural gas (LNG) complex.

At least 13 people died and 66 were injured in the incident, which Qatar attributed to a technical malfunction. A dozen of the deceased were Indian nationals.

The prime minister appreciated the Qatari leadership for its “generous hospitality towards the vibrant Pakistani community in Qatar”.

Affirming that Islamabad values its close brotherly ties with Doha, PM Shehbaz said his country looked forward to welcoming the Qatari emir “later this year”.

In his remarks alongside Iran’s President Masoud Pezeshkian, who visited Islamabad on Tuesday, PM Shehbaz had thanked the Qatari emir’s “pivotal role” in the peace efforts.

He had also expressed his appreciation for the “steadfast support and encouragement” of Saudi Arabia, Turkiye and Egypt during the process.

Key direct talks — dubbed the “Lake Lucerne Summit” — were held between the top leadership of the US and Iran on June 20-21 in Switzerland’s Bürgenstock, kicking off negotiations under the Islamabad MoU.

The talks held in the Swiss resort of Burgenstock were mediated by Pakistan and Qatar, with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Chief of Defence Forces Field Marshal Asim Munir representing Pakistan.

Under the 14-point accord, which PM Shehbaz had signed as the mediator, the US and Iran agreed on a framework to end the war, reopen the Strait of Hormuz and negotiate on key issues within 60 days of the signing.

The Lake Lucerne Summit created a mechanism for further technical talks between Washington and Tehran, which were to continue this week.

The summit set up a contact channel to “avoid incidents and miscommunication” in the Strait of Hormuz and agreed on a “de-confliction cell” to prevent fighting in Lebanon from erupting again.

Following those talks, the US temporarily suspended sanctions on Iranian oil. The general licence allows the sale of crude oil and petrochemical and petroleum products of Iranian origin through August 21.

On Wednesday, Qatar’s Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani travelled to Oman to initiate talks between the Gulf states, Iraq and Iran on the Strait of Hormuz, a diplomat briefed on the discussions told AFP.

Additional input from AFP ...