US-Iran talks mediated by Pakistan, Qatar kick off in Burgenstock

Talks between the United States and Iran have begun in Burgenstock, Switzerland, with Qatar and Pakistan participating in a mediatory role, the Qatari Foreign Ministry announced on Sunday, with the heads of each delegation expected to address the meeting.

The ‘technical-level’ talks today seek to iron out the details of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed between Tehran and Washington to cease hostilities and negotiate a framework to end the war.

Under the agreement, the US and Iran have agreed on a framework to end the war, lift the US blockade of Iran and reopen the Strait of Hormuz. Also on the table will be discussions about the unfreezing of Iranian assets and sale of Iranian oil.

In a statement, the Qatari foreign ministry announced “the launch of the Lucerne Lake Summit and the first high-level committee meeting” between the four sides, which it hoped would “lead to reaching a comprehensive and permanent agreement that addresses all aspects covered by the Memorandum of Understanding.”

The Qatari foreign ministry spokesman Dr Majed bin Mohammed Al-Ansari stated that “technical and specialised groups have been formed to negotiate the final agreement’s clauses, which will cover all aspects of the Memorandum of Understanding.”

“Additionally, follow-up groups have been established to oversee the implementation of the memorandum and track the progress achieved toward reaching the final agreement, reflecting the commitment of all parties to proceed in the negotiation process in good faith and with the goal of reaching a comprehensive and sustainable agreement.”

The quadrilateral meeting follows bilateral and tripartite meetings between the different parties participating in the talks.

The Foreign Office (FO) said that Pakistan would hold bilateral interactions with the participating delegations from Iran, Qatar, Switzerland and the US, to “reaffirm Pakistan’s enduring commitment to dialogue and durable peace in the region”.

Ahead of the quadrilateral meeting, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Chief of Defence Forces (CDF) Field Marshal Asim Munir held a met the US negotiating team, led by Vice President JD Vance.

The Pakistani delegation also met the Iranian delegation led by Parliamentary Speaker Bagher Ghalibaf. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi and Information Minister Attaullah Tarar were also part of the meeting.

Delegations from the US, Iran, Qatar, and Pakistan had arrived at the venue on Sunday morning amid tight security and heavy media presence.

A senior official of the Prime Minister’s Office told Dawn it is not yet confirmed if the Pakistani delegation will return today, the source added.

State broadcaster PTV, which is reporting live from Burgenstock, said that technical-level talks between the US and Iranian delegations could “extend into tomorrow” and that there was no formal timeframe announced yet, and that the discussions would continue for “as long as necessary”.

However, Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmail Baghaei, speaking to IRNA, said that a one-day session was planned, which is expected to feature bilateral meetings with mediators Pakistan and Qatar in the morning, followed by quadrilateral talks in the afternoon.

Pakistani delegation arrives

The Prime Minister’s Office said PM Shehbaz and his delegation arrived in Zurich earlier on Sunday morning to participate in the talks, after which they travelled to Burgenstock, the venue for the hotly anticipated talks.

State broadcaster PTV reported that the premier was accompanied by Information Minister Ataullah Tarar and other senior government officials. State media also confirmed the arrival of CDF Munir and Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi at the Burgenstock resort.

US, Iran teams arrive

US Vice President JD Vance and Iran’s Parliament Speaker and head negotiator of the Iranian side Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf also arrived for the talks on implementing the deal.

Vance arrived at Emmen Air Base at 5:59am (08:59 PKT), according to his spokesperson. He had taken off for Switzerland on Saturday, saying negotiators would discuss Iran’s nuclear programme and the Lebanon ceasefire.

“I think we’re going to hopefully make progress on the nuclear issue, make progress on the Lebanon ceasefire issue. Those are the two big things that I think we’re to be focused on,” Vance told reporters before departing from Joint Base Andrews, saying he could only join the talks “for a day or two”.

Vance said the situation in Lebanon was “actually getting better”. “It’s going to be something we’re just going to have to continuously manage to ensure that… Israel and Lebanon are both safe and secure,” he said.

“The big problem is that you have somebody will shoot and then somebody will respond, and you kind of have a chicken and egg problem where you’ve just got to stop the shooting for long enough to get the ceasefire to keep hold.”

US negotiators Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff were already in Switzerland handling technical elements of the talks, Vance said earlier.

Iran’s delegation, which landed in Switzerland in the early hours of Sunday, arrived at Burgenstock for the talks by early afternoon.

Iran’s official news agency IRNA said the delegation was led by Ghalibaf and included Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi.

Ali Bagheri (Deputy for International Affairs of the Supreme National Security Council Secretariat), Central Bank Governor Abdolnaser Hemmati, National Iranian Oil Company CEO Hamid Bovard, Deputy FM Kazem Gharibabad and Esmail Baqaei were also part of the team.

PM Shehbaz, CDF Munir depart for talks

In a statement issued in the morning, the FO said PM Shehbaz, accompanied by CDF Munir, left for Bürgenstock to participate in “high-level talks on the implementation of the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding (MoU)”.

In its statement, the FO noted that the talks marked the first formal engagement between the US and Iran since the signing of the Islamabad MoU on June 17.

It confirmed that high-level delegations from the US, Iran and Qatar will be part of the talks.

“Pakistan will continue to support and advance the implementation of the understandings reached between the Islamic Republic of Iran and the US,” the FO affirmed.

“Pakistan’s facilitative role underscores its principled, balanced, and constructive approach throughout the crisis, including hosting earlier rounds of US-Iran talks and sustained diplomatic contacts that culminated in the Islamabad MoU.”

FO announces talks in Switzerland

Earlier on Saturday, the FO announced that technical-level talks will be held in Buergenstock, Switzerland, on Sunday.

“Representatives of the United States and Iran, along with mediators from Pakistan and Qatar, will participate in the discussions,” the FO said.

“Pakistan will continue to facilitate the process in its role as mediator, with a view to advancing the understandings reached under the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding.”

Speaking to Fox News, JD Vance said negotiations with Iran “are going well”, but that the US “has all the cards”.

Meanwhile, foreign ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baqaei announced that Iran will be sending a delegation to Switzerland, according to remarks carried by the Fars news agency.

“In Switzerland, we intend to press for the fulfilment of the other side’s commitments and clarify how they plan to act on their obligations,” Baghaei was quoted as saying, emphasising that Iran adhered to its side of the agreement, and the United States is “obligated to compel the Zionist regime (Israel) to cease its attacks on Lebanon”.

“If part of the counterpart’s commitments is not implemented, the entirety of the agreement will be jeopardised,” the spokesperson was quoted as saying. “The counterpart must take the necessary measures as soon as possible; otherwise, the agreement will be jeopardised,” he added.

US-Iran deal

The 14-point agreement was signed by US President Donald Trump and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, with PM Shehbaz signing as mediator. Under the deal, Tehran and Washington have agreed on a framework to end the war, reopening of the Strait of Hormuz and a 60-day timeline for further talks.

The deal, ending more than 100 days of war, has been widely welcomed by the international community.

Once a final agreement is reached on Iran’s nuclear ambitions, the US will also facilitate the release of a $300 billion reconstruction fund supported by regional nations, the deal says.

More to follow. ...