ZURICH (MNN): A high-level Iranian delegation arrived in Zurich on Saturday ahead of crucial diplomatic and technical talks with the United States in Bürgenstock, Switzerland, as efforts continue to implement the recently signed Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding (MoU).
The Iranian delegation is led by Parliament Speaker and chief negotiator Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf and includes Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, Central Bank Governor Abdolnaser Hemmati, National Iranian Oil Company chief Hamid Bovard, and deputy foreign ministers Esmaeil Baqaei and Kazem Gharibabadi.
Meanwhile, US Vice President JD Vance is travelling to Switzerland for Sunday’s discussions. Speaking to reporters before his departure, Vance said he hoped the talks would yield progress on Iran’s nuclear programme as well as efforts to preserve the Lebanon ceasefire.
“Despite the headlines, things are actually getting better there,” Vance said, referring to Lebanon, while stressing the need for continued engagement to ensure long-term stability and security in the region.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has also departed for Switzerland with a high-level delegation to participate in the talks scheduled for June 21. He is expected to arrive in Zurich early Sunday morning.
Sources said the prime minister will hold separate meetings with the Iranian delegation and US Vice President JD Vance before the formal negotiations begin.
According to the Prime Minister’s Office, Chief of Defence Forces Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir will also attend the discussions, which are aimed at advancing the next phase of engagement between Tehran and Washington following the signing of the Islamabad MoU.
The talks come amid renewed tensions in Lebanon. Lebanese state media reported that Israeli strikes killed at least 20 people on Saturday, a day after a ceasefire agreement with Hezbollah took effect.
Israel said the attacks were launched in response to projectiles allegedly fired by Hezbollah, claiming that more than 50 rockets and shells were fired at Israeli positions in southern Lebanon. Hezbollah, however, accused Israel of repeatedly violating the ceasefire and warned that continued attacks could undermine regional stability.
Pakistan’s Foreign Office confirmed that representatives from the United States and Iran, along with mediators from Pakistan and Qatar, will participate in the Bürgenstock talks.
The Foreign Office reiterated that Pakistan would continue to facilitate the dialogue process and support efforts to implement the understandings reached between Tehran and Washington under the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding.
The Switzerland meeting is being viewed as a critical step towards consolidating the recent breakthrough between the United States and Iran and reducing tensions across the Middle East.
