PM Shehbaz, CDF Munir depart for Switzerland to participate in Iran-US technical-level talks
- US, Iran to hold technical-level talks in Bürgenstock today.
- Pakistan, Qatar to mediate Iran-US negotiations: FO.
- Trump, Pezeshkian signed preliminary peace deal on June 15.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Chief of Defence Forces (CDF) and Chief of Army Staff (COAS) Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir departed for Switzerland to attend technical-level talks between the US and Iran in Bürgenstock.
According to the Prime Minister’s Office, both leaders will participate in the discussions scheduled for June 21, to be held as a follow-up to the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) previously signed between Tehran and Washington.
The statement further said that PM Shehbaz Sharif is accompanied by a high-level delegation during the visit to Switzerland.
Prior to their departure, the Foreign Office said that technical-level talks between the US and Iran will be held today in Bürgenstock, Switzerland, as Islamabad stepped up diplomacy to keep the peace process on track.
“Representatives of the United States and Iran, along with mediators from Pakistan and Qatar, will participate in the discussions,” it detailed.
According to the Foreign Office, Pakistan will continue to “facilitate the process in its role as mediator” to advance the understandings reached between Tehran and Washington under the Islamabad memorandum of understanding.
The statement comes days after the United States and Iran electronically signed the MoU aimed at ending the conflict in the Middle East.
US President Donald Trump announced the signing on June 15, saying the agreement included provisions on the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz and the lifting of the US blockade on Iranian ports.
Trump and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian signed the agreement on behalf of their respective countries, while Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif later signed the Islamabad MoU as mediator, formally sealing the deal.
Meanwhile, Iranian state media reported that Tehran’s negotiating team left for Switzerland for discussions on the implementation of the agreement signed with the US to halt the Mideast war.
“Iranian negotiators have left for Switzerland,” state news agency Irna reported, after quoting foreign ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baqaei as warning that the deal was “in trouble”.
“The other side must take the necessary measures as soon as possible. Otherwise, the entire understanding will be in trouble,” Baqaei said.
On Washington’s part, Vice President JD Vance said he expected to go to Switzerland soon for talks with Iran, even as Tehran’s high command was reported as saying it would shut the Strait of Hormuz due to what it called US and Israeli truce violations.
