BURGEN STOCK: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Sunday said the United States and Iran “genuinely” want peace in the region, as US, Iranian, Qatari and Pakistani delegations gathered in Burgenstock for crucial talks aimed at reducing tensions.
Speaking to the media at the Swiss resort, the prime minister praised the Iranian delegation’s “cool-headedness, dignity and efforts towards de-escalation”.
“I think they genuinely mean to promote peace in the region,” PM Shehbaz said while referring to the Iranian leadership, adding, “So does President Trump.”
He said he had no doubt that US President Donald Trump was a man of peace, adding that he had demonstrated this during the war between Pakistan and India.
The premier expressed optimism about the “renewed friendship” between Pakistan and the United States, hoping it would develop into a relationship based on close coordination and cooperation.
First round of talks begins
Closed-door quadripartite negotiations between the US and Iran began in Burgenstock on Sunday, with Pakistan and Qatar participating as mediators.
As the talks commenced, US President Donald Trump issued a warning to Iran over unrest in Lebanon, which was among the key issues under discussion.
“Iran must immediately stop their highly paid PROXIES in Lebanon from causing trouble. If they don’t, we’ll hit Iran very hard again, just like we did last week, only harder!!!” Trump said in a post on Truth Social.
In a separate interview with Fox News, Trump also warned Iran over the Strait of Hormuz, saying he had “a variety of options” available.
Around 80 minutes into the negotiations, Iranian media reported a pause in the talks as delegations withdrew for internal consultations.
Following the break, Iran’s chief negotiator Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf dismissed US threats in a statement on X, warning Washington to “be careful” and saying Tehran was prepared to respond.
‘Peace requires give and take’
Addressing the opening session before the closed-door discussions, PM Shehbaz Sharif expressed hope that the talks would lead to peace, progress and prosperity worldwide.
He said he was looking forward to productive discussions and was pleased that collective efforts had brought all sides together in Burgenstock.
“I think here we are going to have wonderful discussions which will lead to, hopefully, very productive results in times to come,” he said.
The prime minister thanked US President Donald Trump and Vice President JD Vance for their leadership and praised Chief of Defence Forces (CDF) Field Marshal Asim Munir for his “consistent efforts, perseverance and patience” during the mediation process.
US Vice President JD Vance said “peace requires give and take”, calling the meeting historic.
“This is a historic meet. Never before have Iranian and American leadership met at such a high level outside of Islamabad,” he told reporters.
Vance said the meeting represented the beginning of technical negotiations that would not resolve every disagreement immediately but would allow both sides to identify key issues and work towards solutions.
He said the presence of political leadership was aimed at establishing the structure for negotiations and ensuring that technical teams had full support to overcome obstacles.
Thanking Trump for empowering the team to find a diplomatic solution, Vance said significant progress had already been made and expressed hope for further achievements.
“Can we change relations in the Middle East, or do we go back to doing things the old way?” Vance questioned, adding that Washington envisioned a future where Iran and Gulf countries could cooperate for peace and prosperity.
He said Trump was committed to a “full regional ceasefire”, including Lebanon, adding that such ceasefires were always complicated but progress had been made in recent days.
Vance also appreciated PM Shehbaz and Field Marshal Asim Munir’s role in the process, saying he had spoken to Munir “more than anyone else over the last few months”.
“If Iran is willing to give up nuclear weapon ambitions for the long term, the US is willing to transform relations with them,” Vance said.
He added that Trump had encouraged him to “turn over a new leaf” and extend an “outstretched hand” towards the people of Iran.
Qatar backs diplomatic efforts
Qatari Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani thanked both the US and Iranian delegations for their efforts towards peace in the Middle East.
He said the talks were important not only for regional security but also for global security and the world economy.
“This is not really the main celebration, this is just the beginning and I wish everyone all the best,” Al Thani said.
He assured that Qatar would continue supporting mediation efforts until a solution was achieved.
Before the opening remarks, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi briefly entered the meeting room and embraced PM Shehbaz, according to White House Press Pool reports shared on X.
The report said Araghchi stayed briefly and did not interact with Vance, who was seated on the other side of the room.
The media was then escorted out as the closed-door talks began.
Technical groups to negotiate MoU clauses
The technical-level discussions focused on finalising details of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed between Washington and Tehran to end hostilities and establish a framework for ending the conflict.
The agreement includes discussions on lifting the US blockade on Iran, reopening the Strait of Hormuz, unfreezing Iranian assets and allowing the sale of Iranian oil.
The Qatari foreign ministry announced the launch of the Lucerne Lake Summit and the first high-level committee meeting between the four sides, expressing hope that it would lead to a comprehensive and lasting agreement.
Qatari foreign ministry spokesperson Dr Majed bin Mohammed Al-Ansari said specialised technical groups had been formed to negotiate the final agreement’s clauses.
He added that follow-up groups would oversee implementation of the memorandum and monitor progress towards a final agreement.
Al-Ansari said Qatar, as a mediator, would continue working with Pakistan and all concerned parties to create a positive environment for negotiations.
He praised Pakistan’s role as a partner and mediator, highlighting Islamabad’s continued efforts to support the process.
He also appreciated the commitment of Washington and Tehran towards a diplomatic solution, along with support from Saudi Arabia, Turkey, Egypt, the UAE and other countries.
Delegations meet before main talks
The quadrilateral meeting followed bilateral and trilateral discussions among the participating countries.
Iranian state television reported that Iran, Qatar and US officials held discussions on a Lebanon ceasefire and Iran’s frozen assets.
The Foreign Office said Pakistan would hold bilateral meetings with delegations from Iran, Qatar, Switzerland and the US to reaffirm its commitment to dialogue and lasting regional peace.
Before the main meeting, PM Shehbaz and Field Marshal Asim Munir met the US delegation led by Vice President Vance.
The Pakistani delegation also met the Iranian delegation headed by Ghalibaf. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi and Information Minister Attaullah Tarar were also present.
Delegations from the US, Iran, Qatar and Pakistan arrived in Burgenstock on Sunday morning amid tight security and heavy media coverage.
A senior Prime Minister’s Office official said it was not yet confirmed whether the Pakistani delegation would return the same day.
State broadcaster PTV reported that technical-level discussions between the US and Iranian delegations could continue into Monday, with no fixed timeline announced.
However, Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmail Baghaei told IRNA that a one-day session was planned, including bilateral meetings with Pakistan and Qatar in the morning followed by quadrilateral talks later in the day.
Pakistani delegation arrives
The Prime Minister’s Office said PM Shehbaz and his delegation reached Zurich on Sunday morning before travelling to Burgenstock for the talks.
Information Minister Attaullah Tarar and other senior officials accompanied the premier.
State media also confirmed the arrival of Field Marshal Asim Munir and Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi at the resort.
US and Iranian teams arrive
US Vice President JD Vance and Iran’s Parliament Speaker and chief negotiator Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf arrived in Switzerland to participate in the talks.
Vance arrived at Emmen Air Base at 5:59am (08:59 PKT), according to his spokesperson.
Before departing, he said the discussions would focus on Iran’s nuclear programme and the Lebanon ceasefire.
“I think we’re going to hopefully make progress on the nuclear issue, make progress on the Lebanon ceasefire issue,” Vance said.
He said the Lebanon situation was improving but would require continued management to ensure security for both Israel and Lebanon.
US negotiators Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff were already in Switzerland handling technical aspects of the negotiations.
Iran’s delegation, which arrived early Sunday, was led by Ghalibaf and included Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi.