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US and Iranian delegations have arrived in Switzerland for talks on implementing a memorandum of understanding, with Qatar and Pakistan acting as mediators, according to multiple reports. The discussions, held in the Swiss resort of Burgenstock, are focused on technical consultations regarding the memorandum, which calls for an immediate cessation of hostilities on all fronts, including Lebanon.
Coverage comparison
Al Jazeera reported that US and Iranian delegations arrived for high-level talks at a hotel in Switzerland, noting that JD Vance, Steve Witkoff, and Jared Kushner met Pakistani mediators, while Iranian officials including Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi and chief negotiator Bagher Ghalibaf met their Swiss hosts.
The Jerusalem Post, citing an Axios report quoting a US diplomat, said the first day of negotiations, mediated by Qatar and Pakistan, focused on elements of a potential nuclear deal and the enforcement of a ceasefire in Lebanon. The diplomat said talks began in the morning and continued "almost non-stop" across different formats, with all four parties seemingly pleased with the progress.
TASS, citing the Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting (IRIB), reported that the Iranian delegation arrived in Zurich, Switzerland, for talks with the US delegation. The delegation included Speaker of the Mejlis (Iran's parliament) Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, Deputy Security Council Chairman Ali Bagheri Kani, and Central Bank Chairman Abdolnaser Hemmati. The parties were set to discuss the implementation of the memorandum of understanding.
Key claims
The Iranian delegation's travel to Switzerland was initially planned for Friday but was canceled due to the digital signing of the memorandum of understanding by the presidents of the two countries, according to Iranian Foreign Ministry Spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei, as reported by TASS. Baghaei said the delegation would travel to Switzerland to monitor the fulfillment of obligations by the other side, since "the main criterion for evaluating any agreement is the stage of its execution."
The Swiss Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA) confirmed that the signing of the US-Iran agreement was scheduled for June 19 in Burgenstock, as reported by TASS. FDFA spokesperson Pierre-Alain Eltschinger said Switzerland was acting as a facilitator, creating the practical and diplomatic conditions necessary for the meeting.
A US diplomatic source told Axios, as cited by TASS and the Jerusalem Post, that the talks on the high-level political leadership level are expected to conclude on Monday, June 22, while technical teams would continue their consultations in Switzerland. The source said the parties discussed a plan for keeping talks going both on the political level and between technical teams.
The Pakistani Foreign Ministry said technical consultations between the US and Iran, with the participation of Pakistan and Qatar, would take place in Burgenstock on June 21, as reported by TASS.
The Swiss Foreign Ministry, in a statement made available to TASS, said the implementation of the memorandum's provisions poses a serious challenge given tight deadlines and high expectations. The ministry emphasized that the simple fact that the parties are present in Burgenstock and continue dialogue already constitutes a significant contribution to the implementation of the agreement.
Al Arabiya, as cited by TASS, reported that the first round of direct talks would include discussion of Iran's nuclear program, as well as political and legal aspects related to nuclear issues, the lifting of anti-Iran sanctions, and the unfreezing of Iranian assets. The sources said representatives of Qatar and Pakistan were expected to participate, with officials from Turkey and Saudi Arabia possibly attending some meetings.