Technical negotiations between the United States and Iran are expected to begin in Switzerland as the parties seek to advance the implementation of the Pakistan-brokered Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding.
Iran demands progress on US commitments, and Washington seeks progress on Tehran’s nuclear program and the ceasefire in Lebanon.
The Burgenstock talks are the first formal engagement since the signing of the Islamabad MoU on June 17. The Foreign Ministry said the discussions aim to support the implementation of the agreement and maintain dialogue between Tehran and Washington.
Who represents Iran?
The Iranian delegation is led by Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf and includes Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, as well as senior security, central bank and oil officials, according to Iranian media.
Tehran says it will push for the implementation of US commitments under the interim agreement and seek clarity on how Washington intends to implement them.
Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baqaei warned that the broader deal could be in trouble unless the other side quickly takes necessary steps.
Lebanon is also expected to remain a major issue, with Iran saying continued Israeli attacks threaten the ceasefire framework agreed to under the broader U.S.-Iran deal.
Who represents the United States?
US Vice President JD Vance leads the US delegation. He is accompanied by President Donald Trump’s special envoy, Steve Witkoff, and Jared Kushner.
Before leaving for Switzerland, Vance said Washington hoped to make progress on Iran’s nuclear program and the ceasefire in Lebanon, two issues he described as central to the negotiations.
The talks follow a 60-day ceasefire agreement under the interim agreement, with both sides expected to address unresolved issues over Iran’s nuclear program and regional de-escalation.
Why are Pakistan and Qatar present?
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Chief of Defense Forces and Chief of Army Staff Field Marshal Asim Munir are participating as Pakistan continues to play its role as facilitator in the process that led to the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs says Pakistan will continue to support the agreements reached between Iran and the United States and the prime minister is expected to hold bilateral meetings with delegations from Iran, Qatar, Switzerland and the United States.
Qatar is also participating in the negotiations. Doha supported diplomatic efforts around the US-Iran deal and remains involved in efforts to support the regional de-escalation process.
What could derail the negotiations?
The central challenge remains implementation.
Iran says it needs proof that Washington is following through on the interim deal, while the United States wants progress on the nuclear issue and the ceasefire in Lebanon.
The talks are also taking place amid renewed uncertainty over the Strait of Hormuz. Iran’s Revolutionary Guards have declared the waterway closed, although the U.S. military says commercial traffic has continued.
Continued Israeli attacks in Lebanon and the risk of further exchanges with Hezbollah also remain a major threat to the broader ceasefire framework.
