ISLAMABAD, Jun 21 (Alliance News): Delegations from the United States and Iran met Pakistani mediators in Switzerland ahead of the much-anticipated technical-level talks aimed at advancing the understandings reached under the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), brokered by Pakistan.
The four-day discussions, being described as the “Lake Lucerne Summit,” mark the first formal engagement between Washington and Tehran following the signing of the Islamabad MoU on June 17, which was facilitated by Pakistan to help reduce tensions and promote diplomatic engagement between the two sides.
Before the technical talks, the US delegation led by Vice President JD Vance met Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif and Chief of Defence Forces Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir. The delegation also included US special envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner.
During the interaction, Vice President Vance appreciated Pakistan’s mediation efforts in helping facilitate dialogue between the United States and Iran. He acknowledged Islamabad’s role in supporting diplomatic efforts aimed at addressing the prolonged crisis.
Later, the Iranian delegation, including Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf and Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, held meetings with the Pakistani leadership, including Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir, and Interior Minister Syed Mohsin Naqvi.
The Foreign Office said that senior delegations from Iran, Qatar, and the United States were participating in the talks, describing the meeting as the first major diplomatic engagement after the signing of the Islamabad MoU.
Pakistan reiterated that it would continue supporting the understandings reached between Washington and Tehran, saying its facilitation reflected a balanced, constructive, and principled diplomatic approach.
Islamabad’s diplomatic efforts included hosting earlier rounds of discussions between the US and Iran and maintaining continuous communication with both sides, which contributed to the signing of the memorandum.
The Switzerland talks come after the United States and Iran electronically signed the Islamabad MoU aimed at ending the regional conflict. US President Donald Trump announced the agreement, saying it included steps related to easing tensions, reopening the Strait of Hormuz, and addressing restrictions on Iranian ports.
The agreement was signed on behalf of the United States and Iran by President Donald Trump and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, while Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif signed the Islamabad MoU as mediator, formally confirming Pakistan’s facilitation role.
The follow-up negotiations are taking place amid renewed tensions that have created uncertainty around the fragile diplomatic progress. Iran recently announced the closure of the Strait of Hormuz following Israeli strikes in Lebanon, adding further challenges for negotiators.
The talks, originally planned earlier, were delayed after fresh regional developments, including deadly strikes in Lebanon, raised concerns over the continuation of the peace process.
Diplomatic observers view the Switzerland meeting as an important test of the Islamabad MoU and a significant opportunity for the United States and Iran to maintain dialogue and prevent further escalation in the region.
