Zurich (Web Desk/Agencies): The Pakistan-mediated technical-level talks between the United States (US) and Iran kicked off in Switzerland’s Bürgenstock on Sunday.
According to International media reports, the talks, dubbed as the 'Lake Lucerne Summit', are a follow-up to the recently signed Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between Tehran and Washington.
Addressing the opening ceremony ahead of the quadrilateral talks, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said that he was hopeful for constructive and fruitful negotiations, and conveyed his satisfaction that the shared efforts of all parties engaged in the peace process had ultimately resulted in the convening of the meeting.
He credited US President Donald Trump’s leadership for making the dialogue possible.
Appreciating Trump’s “visionary and very dynamic leadership” PM Shehbaz said the talks had emerged due to his “prudent leadership of US President Donald Trump.”
Describing the moment as a rare opening for diplomacy, the prime minister also highlighted Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir’s contribution to facilitating the process.
Expressing optimism about global cooperation, he said, “We can work together to establish unity in the world,” underscoring his hope that the engagement could help strengthen international harmony.
Speaking on the occasion, US Vice President JD Vance described the gathering as a “historic meeting,” noting that never before “outside of Islamabad and here … has the Iranian and American leadership met at such a high level.”
He said the development reflected President Trump’s direction and his desire to reshape the future of the Middle East.
Vance said that the US President had urged officials to “turn over a new leaf” and “extend an outstretched hand” to Iran.
The US vice president added that if Tehran agreed to abandon its nuclear programme and its role in regional instability, Washington would be prepared to fundamentally reconsider its relationship with Iran.
He further noted that “We’ve already made great progress in the last few hours and I expect we will make additional progress in the hours to come,” signaling momentum in the discussions.
Qatar's Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani also addressed the gathering, thanking both delegations for their commitment to peace efforts in the Middle East while highlighting the broader significance of the talks.
“I think that every one of you has highlighted how important and historic this is, not only on the security of the region but also for the security of the world and for the global economy,” he said.
He further added, “I would like to thank all of you for your leadership and determination that put us in this room … this is just the beginning and I wish everyone all the best.”
Reaffirming Qatar’s position, Al Thani said that the country would continue supporting the mediation process “until the end – until we reach a solution.”
The Qatar’s premier also acknowledged that the efforts of Pakistan’s leadership, extending appreciation to both Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Field Marshal Asim Munir for their role in advancing the dialogue.
The quadrilateral meeting follows a series of separate bilateral and tripartite discussion among the parties involved in the negotiations.
Iran’s state-run television reported that officials from Iran, Qatar, and the US were engaged in talks centered on a potential ceasefire in Lebanon along with Iran’s frozen financial holdings.
“A tripartite meeting involving Iran, the United States and Qatar on the subjects of a comprehensive ceasefire in Lebanon and Iran’s blocked assets is currently being held at the negotiation venue,” state broadcaster IRIB said.
Meanwhile, the Foreign Office (FO) stated that Pakistan was conducting one-on-one meetings with the delegations from Iran, Qatar, Switzerland, and the US, aiming to “reaffirm Pakistan’s enduring commitment to dialogue and durable peace in the region”.
Prior to the talks, PM Shehbaz and Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir held meeting with the US negotiating delegation headed by Vice President JD Vance.
Later, PM Shehbaz and CDF Asim Munir also met with the Iranian delegation led by Parliamentary Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi, and Information Minister Attaullah Tarar were also part of these engagements.
Delegations from the US, Iran, Qatar, and Pakistan reached the venue on Sunday morning, where strict security arrangements were in place and a large media contingent was present.