Pakistan Intensifies Mediation Efforts as US-Iran Talks Begin in Switzerland

BÜRGENSTOCK, Switzerland: Pakistan stepped up its diplomatic engagement on Sunday as Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Syed Asim Munir met senior Iranian and American officials ahead of high-stakes technical-level negotiations between Washington and Tehran at the Swiss resort of Bürgenstock.

The Pakistani leadership first held talks with a high-level Iranian delegation led by Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf and Abbas Araghchi, accompanied by Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi.

According to diplomatic sources, discussions focused on implementing the recently signed “Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding (MoU),” a framework designed to reduce geopolitical tensions and economic uncertainty in the Middle East. The atmosphere of the meeting was described as warm and cordial, with Pakistani and Iranian officials expressing commitment to continued dialogue and regional stability.

Prime Minister Sharif was accompanied by Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi, Information Minister Attaullah Tarar, and senior official Tariq Kazmi.

Later, Prime Minister Sharif and Field Marshal Munir met with US Vice President JD Vance ahead of the technical negotiations between the United States and Iran. The meeting was also attended by senior US envoys Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff.

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Diplomatic sources said the talks centered on the implementation framework of the Islamabad MoU and efforts to operationalize a reported 60-day maritime and military truce between Washington and Tehran. US officials reportedly acknowledged Pakistan’s role in facilitating dialogue and helping bring the two sides back to negotiations.

According to participants familiar with the discussions, Vice President Vance praised Pakistan’s diplomatic engagement and described its contribution to regional stability as significant and constructive. Sources said he expressed gratitude for Islamabad’s mediation efforts and highlighted Pakistan’s role in advancing peace initiatives.

Officials also reported that Vance commended Pakistan’s involvement in the US-Iran dialogue process, while US envoy Steve Witkoff expressed personal appreciation for Field Marshal Munir during the meeting.

The separate engagements with Iranian and American delegations underscore Pakistan’s emerging role as a diplomatic intermediary at a critical moment in regional diplomacy. The outcome of the technical-level negotiations in Bürgenstock is expected to shape the next phase of efforts aimed at reducing tensions and promoting stability in the Middle East.