On Sunday, June 21, technical negotiations between the United States and Iran are scheduled to take place in Switzerland. U.S. Vice President Jay D. Vance is expected to depart for the meeting today.
The discussions will occur at the Swiss mountain resort of Bürgenstock, with representatives from Pakistan and Qatar participating as mediators, according to a statement from Pakistan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs shared on social media and reported by CNN.
Pakistan’s ministry emphasized its ongoing role in facilitating this dialogue, aiming to advance agreements established under the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding.
Both Iran and the U.S. have confirmed their delegations will attend the Swiss talks, despite ongoing military actions by Israel in Lebanon, which pose a risk to the diplomatic process.
Sources from CNN indicated that Vice President Vance is preparing for the negotiations and will travel to Switzerland today, although the exact timing of his departure remains unclear.
Meanwhile, U.S. Special Envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, son-in-law of former President Donald Trump, are already on-site, focusing on the technical aspects of the discussions.
“We will schedule the negotiations when representatives from the Iranian government, as well as those from Qatar and Pakistan, arrive. This could happen as soon as tomorrow, but such arrangements can change,” Vance stated in an interview with Fox News regarding his itinerary.
Vance noted that his travel plans, which have evolved over the past week, involve careful coordination that must consider diplomatic protocols.
Additionally, CNN reported that Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi met with Pakistan’s Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi today. The Pakistani official sought to assure Iran that it could remain engaged in negotiations, as the U.S. is exerting sufficient pressure on Israel to halt its strikes in Lebanon.
The ongoing conflict in Lebanon has emerged as a significant obstacle in the initial phase of the 60-day period required for the parties to reach a final agreement to cease hostilities.
The U.S. and Iran are set to engage in technical negotiations in Switzerland, with mediation from Pakistan and Qatar. The talks come amid heightened tensions due to ongoing military actions in Lebanon, which could complicate diplomatic efforts.