US-Iran hold talks on comprehensive ceasefire in Switzerland under Pak-Qatar mediation

Vance says Trump asked to 'turn over a new leaf' in US relationship with Iran, Delegations from US, Iran, Qatar and Pakistan participate in the talks: Pakistan's PM Shehbaz Sharif and Field Marshal Asim Munir join the talks as mediators at Burgenstock resort: Bagher Ghalibaf leading Iranian delegation:Qatar expected to take part in talks: Iran says Lebanon conflict 'main topic' in US talks: FO spokesperson says Pakistan will continue facilitating dialogue under the Islamabad MoU framework

Published: 08:49 AM, 21 Jun, 2026
Featured News, Middle East
US-Iran hold talks on comprehensive ceasefire in Switzerland under Pak-Qatar mediation
AFP

Technical-level negotiations on the implementation of the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding between the United States and Iran have officially begun in Switzerland on Sunday, according to Iranian media reports.

The talks mark the first formal round of discussions following the agreement aimed at de-escalating tensions and advancing a ceasefire framework. 

Iranian state television reported on Sunday a pause in the US-Iran talks mediated by Pakistan and Qatar in Switzerland, and said that the Islamic republic's nuclear programme had not been discussed.

"No negotiations regarding Iran's nuclear programme took place during the 80-minute first round of talks," the state broadcaster said, adding that the focus had been on the implementation of the memorandum of understanding between Tehran and Washington, and the situation in Lebanon.

Iranian state television says that delegations from Iran, Qatar and the United States are holding a meeting in Switzerland to discuss a ceasefire in Lebanon and Iran’s frozen assets, AFP reports.

“A tripartite meeting involving Iran, the United States and Qatar on the subjects of a comprehensive ceasefire in Lebanon and Iran’s blocked assets is currently being held at the negotiation venue,” state broadcaster IRIB said in a report.

JD Vance has called the US-Iran negotiations taking place in Switzerland a “historic meeting”, saying that never before “outside of Islamabad and here … has the Iranian and American leadership met at such a high level.”

“What’s brought us to this moment is the president’s leadership and the president’s willingness to see a Middle East that is much different 10 years from now than it was 10 years ago,” he said, referring to US President Donald Trump.

He added that Trump had asked them to “turn over a new leaf” and “extend an outstretched hand” to Iran.

If Iran’s leadership was willing to give up its nuclear programme and “being a driver of regional instability”, he said, the US was willing to fundamentally transform its relationship with the country.

“We’ve already made great progress in the last few hours and I expect we will make additional progress in the hours to come,” he added.

US Vice President JD Vance said he hopes Washington and Tehran can reset their relationship, at the start of what he called "historic" talks in Switzerland on Sunday.

Yet, as the meeting was happening, US President Donald Trump threatened in an online post to strike Iran if it did not "immediately stop their highly paid PROXIES in Lebanon from causing trouble".

Vance, flanked by US negotiators Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff, was at the luxury Burgenstock resort overlooking Lake Lucerne for talks with Tehan's negotiators on the preliminary US-Iran deal to halt the Middle East war.

"This is a historic meeting," Vance said in the negotiation room, set up with for the US team on one side and for the Iranian delegation on the other.

"The question before us now is how much more can we accomplish together? "Can we turn over a new leaf? Can we change relations in the Middle East permanently? "Or do we go back to doing things the old way, which is not our preference, but it's certainly very much something that can happen."

Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi and chief negotiator Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf were leading the talks for Tehran. The negotiation table was set up in a U-shape, AFP journalists in the room saw, with Qatar and the United States on one side, Pakistan and Iran on the other -- all with three seats each.

Pakistan and Qatar each also had one sat in the middle, at the head of the table.

- 'Outstretched hand' -

What Trump "has asked us to do is turn over new leaf to transform our relationship with the people of Iran", said Vance.

Trump wants to "extend an outstretched hand that says to the people of Iran that if your leadership is willing to give up being a driver of regional instability, if they are willing to give up nuclear weapons ambitions for the long term, then the United States is willing to fundamentally transform our relationship with that country.

"That is certainly our goal," said Vance. But as Vance met with the Iranians, Trump said in a Truth Social post that Tehran had to rein in Hezbollah in Lebanon.

"If they don’t, we’ll hit Iran very hard again, just like we did last week, only harder!!!" Trump posted.

Pakistan's Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif was flanked in the Swiss talks by Qatar's Prime Minister Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani as the mediators made opening remarks.

"I think we will have wonderful discussions which will lead to, hopefully, very productive results in times to come," said Sharif. "Hopefully when we go back to our homes we'll have some wonderful paper in our hand which will promote peace, progress and prosperity around the globe."

The Iranian delegation did not address reporters in the room and at no point did Araghchi join Vance with the two mediating prime ministers to be photographed together.

The 24NewsHD TV channel reported that delegations from multiple countries, including Pakistan, Qatar, the United States and Iran, are participating in the process.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif is currently present in Burgenstock, accompanied by Chief of Army Staff Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir and a high-level Pakistani diplomatic delegation, which includes senior officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

According to 24NewsHD TV channel, the Prime Minister, after landing in Zurich, briefly interacted with journalists in German and expressed gratitude for the reception.

The United States delegation is being led by Vice President JD Vance, while the Iranian delegation is headed by Speaker Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf. Qatar is also represented in the ongoing discussions.

A spokesperson for Pakistan’s Foreign Office said that Islamabad will continue to facilitate the negotiation process as a mediator. 

The spokesperson added that Pakistan’s role is to support the implementation of the understanding reached under the Islamabad MoU and to promote sustained diplomatic engagement among all parties involved.

Mediating country Qatar on Sunday confirmed the start of talks between the United States and Iran in Switzerland aimed at a permanent end to the Middle East war.

In a statement Qatar's foreign ministry announced "the launch of the Lake Lucerne Summit and the first meeting of the high-level committee with the participation of representatives from the United States of America, the Islamic Republic of Iran, and the two mediating states, the State of Qatar and the Islamic Republic of Pakistan".

The gas-rich emirate added it hoped the meetings would "lead to a comprehensive and lasting agreement addressing all aspects covered by the Memorandum of Understanding", referring to an accord signed by the US and Iran earlier this week.

Iran says Lebanon conflict 'main topic' in US talks

According to AFP, Iran said on Sunday that the ongoing conflict in Lebanon between Israel and militant group Hezbollah will top the agenda in talks with the United States in Switzerland, as well as issues such as frozen Iranian funds and the sale of the country's oil.

"The Zionist regime continues to violate its commitment in Lebanon, this issue will be the main topic of discussion in today's talks," foreign ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baqaei said in a video shared by IRNA state news agency.

"The issue of making available Iran's frozen or restricted assets, as well as the discussion related to issuing the necessary licenses for the sale of Iranian oil," will also be on the agenda, he added.

Earlier today, the 24NewsHD TV channel reported that a new round of diplomatic negotiations aimed at advancing peace in the Middle East began in Switzerland on Sunday, with senior representatives from the United States, Iran, Pakistan and Qatar gathering for talks at the Burgenstock resort.

The Swiss Foreign Ministry confirmed the arrival of the Iranian delegation, describing the discussions as part of efforts to implement the memorandum of understanding recently agreed between Washington and Tehran. 

Iran's state news agency also reported that a senior Iranian delegation led by Speaker Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf has arrived in Zurich for a fresh round of technical-level talks linked to the implementation of the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding.

According to diplomatic sources, the delegation includes Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, along with officials from Iran’s security establishment, central bank, and oil sector. 

The Iranian negotiators' team has been designated under the name “MINAB 168” for the purposes of the ongoing negotiations.

Representatives from Qatar are also expected to take part in the discussions, which form part of the follow-up mechanism to the earlier agreement signed under the Islamabad framework.

US Vice President JD Vance arrived in Switzerland on Sunday morning to participate in the negotiations. Before departing from Washington, he said the discussions would focus on Iran's nuclear programme and the ceasefire situation in Lebanon. 

He expressed hope that progress could be achieved on both issues, describing them as the main priorities of the talks.

Vance acknowledged that maintaining stability in Lebanon remained a challenge, noting that repeated exchanges between opposing sides had complicated efforts to preserve the ceasefire. 

He said continued diplomatic engagement would be necessary to ensure lasting security in the region.

The talks were originally expected to take place on Friday but were postponed after renewed violence in Lebanon. Both Israel and Hezbollah have since accused each other of breaching the ceasefire that formed part of the preliminary understanding reached earlier this week.

American special envoys Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff arrived in Switzerland ahead of the summit and have been working on the technical aspects of the negotiations. 

The Iranian delegation is being led by Speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf and includes Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi and other senior officials.

Pakistan is participating in the negotiations in a mediatory capacity. 

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Chief of Army Staff and Chief of Defence Forces Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir arrived in Switzerland with a high-level delegation that includes senior officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and other diplomatic institutions. 

Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi is also expected to join the delegation. The Pakistani delegation is attending the Lake Lausanne Summit, where representatives from several countries are meeting to discuss measures aimed at promoting regional peace and stability. 

Officials said Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif is scheduled to hold bilateral meetings with delegations from Iran, Qatar, Switzerland and the United States during his visit.

Diplomatic sources said the discussions would focus on reinforcing Pakistan's commitment to dialogue, diplomacy and a peaceful resolution of disputes.

Officials say the current round of talks is aimed at advancing technical arrangements agreed in the initial accord.

A spokesperson for Pakistan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated that the meetings are being held as part of the continued implementation process of the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding. 

The spokesperson added that Pakistan, acting as a facilitator, will continue to support and enable the dialogue process.

Flags of the United States, Iran, Pakistan and Qatar have been displayed at the summit venue, underlining the importance of the participating countries in the ongoing peace process.              

Reporter: Anwar Abbas/ AFP 

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