Katarlı diplomat ve siyasetçi
Trump says US 'getting along well' with Iran as both countries hold indirect talks in Qatar
President Donald Trump said on Monday that the United States is “getting along well” with Iran, as the two countries began indirect talks via mediators in Doha on Wednesday, in a bid to advance negotiations and ease tensions following exchanges of fire between the two sides. “The denuclearisation of Iran is moving along well,” Trump told reporters before leaving for a trip. “They’ve had very good meetings, and we’ll see.” He added that Tehran had “come a long way” in negotiations with Washington. “We hit them very hard last week. I think they’re fine,” he said. “It’s the denuclearisation of Iran, it’s very simple, and Iran can never have a nuclear weapon.” Both the US and Iran said they would send officials to discuss the memorandum of understanding aimed at ending the Middle East war, but Iran insisted direct negotiations would not take place. A diplomat, speaking on condition of anonymity to discuss the sensitive talks, confirmed negotiations were underway, after earlier saying the foes would take part in “indirect technical talks on Wednesday in Doha with Qatari and Pakistani mediators”. The discussions, being held at a lower level and focused on the details of the MOU, will “build on the progress made at the Lake Lucerne Summit”, the diplomat told AFP. However, Iran’s Deputy Foreign Minister Kazim Gharibabadi said that the negotiations for a final deal with Washington have yet to begin, Iran’s Fars news agency reported. “Follow-up working groups for implementing the understanding and negotiating the final agreement have been formed, but no negotiations have yet begun in these formats,” Gharibabadi said. The memorandum of understanding, brokered by Qatar and Pakistan, culminated in a summit last month in Lucerne, Switzerland. It includes a 60-day ceasefire pausing the war that broke out with US-Israeli strikes in late February, as well as the reopening of the blockaded Strait of Hormuz and a timeframe for a final deal to permanently end the conflict and reach an agreement on Iran’s nuclear programme. Last week, Tehran denied a claim by US President Donald Trump that there would be direct talks in Doha. Iranian foreign ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baqaei said the Iranian delegation would be led by Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi, but said the officials “have no plans for negotiations with the American side at any level over the coming days”. ‘Different public messages’ US envoys Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff were not taking part in the technical talks, the diplomat told AFP, after they met with Qatar’s Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani on Tuesday. In a statement, Qatar’s foreign ministry said the trio discussed “the ongoing talks between the United States of America and the Islamic Republic of Iran within the framework of the memorandum of understanding”, as well as developments in Lebanon. Anna Jacobs, non-resident fellow at the Arab Gulf States Institute, told AFP it was “very early in the negotiation process and battles are being fought privately and publicly”. “The overall positive message is that they are continuing to engage after the clashes last week,” she said. H.A. Hellyer, an analyst at the Royal United Services Institute in London, said there was a “lack of transparency” surrounding the talks with both sides “sending very different public messages”. Since the signing of the US-Iran deal on June 17, both sides have exchanged fire in the Gulf, with Tehran targeting a commercial ship it said had deviated from its approved route through the Strait of Hormuz. US Central Command responded by saying it had attacked 10 Iranian military targets over the weekend. Iran then hit back with strikes against US bases in Kuwait and Bahrain, which both condemned Tehran for the attacks. ‘Implementation challenges’ Iran’s chief negotiator Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf said on Tuesday in a televised interview that “when a war of this magnitude comes to an end… it is inevitable that there will be implementation challenges, incidents, and differences of opinion, especially where parties such as the Israeli regime are concerned”. He said the Iranian delegation in Doha would be focused on the implementation of clauses in the deal related to the Strait of Hormuz and fighting in Lebanon. “Naturally, the Islamic Republic is committed to ensuring that the agreement is implemented, and the enemy, the United States and its ally, must also fulfil their commitments,” he said. The exchanges of fire appear to have calmed in the days leading up to the talks in Qatar. On the Lebanon front, fighting between Israel and Hezbollah has been relatively quiet. Tehran has insisted any deal should include an end to the parallel conflict in Lebanon and a withdrawal of Israeli troops from its south, part of which they have occupied. Ghalibaf also said Iran’s oil exports had surged since the end of the US blockade on its ports, which Washington imposed in retaliation for Iran blocking shipping through Hormuz. “From the day the blockade was lifted until today, we have exported more than 40 million barrels of oil,” he told state television. “By contrast, during the previous 50 to nearly 60 days, we were genuinely unable to export even a single barrel of oil.”
ABD-İran Mutabakatına Doğru: İsrail ‘Geçici Çözüm’den RahatsızDoha’da ABD–İran teknik görüşmeleri başladı! Masada hangi başlıklar var?
Katar merkezli Al Jazeera ve ABD merkezli CNN’in adı açıklanmayan kaynaklara dayandırdığı haberlerde, Katar’ın başkenti Doha’da ABD ve İran arasındaki teknik görüşmelerin başladığı aktarılarak, ABD’li ve İranlı üst düzey yetkililer arasında yüz yüze görüşme olmayacağı bildirildi. MASADA HANGİ BAŞLIKLAR VAR? Haberlerde, Doha'da teknik görüşmeleri ele alan en az üç çalışma grubu bulunduğunu, bunların nükleer mesele, Hürmüz Boğazı, diplomasi ile dondurulmuş fonların finansmanı ve iadesi konularına odaklandığı ifade edildi. Öte yandan Katar’daki görüşmelere katılmayan ABD Başkanı Donald Trump’ın Orta Doğu Özel Temsilcisi Steve Witkoff ve Trump’ın damadı Jared Kushner, dün Katar Başbakanı ve Dışişleri Bakanı Şeyh Muhammed bin Abdurrahman Al Thani bir araya gelmişti. Erkek arkadaşının gözü önünde timsah tarafından parçalandı! Kan donduran telefon görüşmesi: 'Ölüm dönüşüne başladı' Afganistan-Pakistan hattında gerilim tırmanıyor! 4 İHA düşürüldü
ABD-İran Mutabakatına Doğru: İsrail ‘Geçici Çözüm’den RahatsızVisit of Hakan Fidan, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Türkiye, to Qatar, 19 March 2026, Doha
Minister of Foreign Affairs Hakan Fidan was received by Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani of Qatar. ##dinamik:gallery:gla|src=/images/enformasyon/gg/sayin-bakanimizin-katar-i-ziyareti-19-mart-2026-doha-1/## Minister of Foreign Affairs Hakan Fidan met with Sheikh Mohammed bin...
Visit of Hakan Fidan, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Türkiye, to Qatar, 11-12 May 2026, Doha
Minister of Foreign Affairs Hakan Fidan was received by Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani of Qatar. ##dinamik:gallery:gla|src=/images/enformasyon/gg/sayin-bakanimizin-katar-i-ziyareti-11-12-mayis-2026-doha-1/## Minister of Foreign Affairs Hakan Fidan met with Sheikh Mohammed bin...
PM Shehbaz ‘optimistic’ as US, Iran hash out differences
• Premier speaks to Qatari ruler, Tabuk governor; stresses need to protect talks from ‘spoilers’; insists momentum must continue for ‘successful outcome’ • Qatari PM in Oman to discuss Hormuz status; Trump insists it will remain toll-free • Another summit on the cards to mend ties between Iran, Gulf states; Ghalibaf calls for ‘coexistence’ • IAEA to carry out inspections of nuclear sites as Tehran links access to final accord, sanctions relief ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Wednesday hoped for a successful conclusion of the peace process between the US and Iran amid efforts by the negotiators to secure a lasting end to the war that engulfed the Gulf region following the Feb 28 US-Israeli strikes on Iran. In separate phone calls, the premier spoke to Qatari ruler Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani and Saudi Arabia’s provincial governor Prince Fahd Bin Sultan Bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, with the US-Iran dialogue featuring prominently in the conversations. According to the PM’s Office, PM Shehbaz received a telephone call from Qatar’s royal, in which Doha appreciated Pakistan’s diplomatic efforts that led to the signing of the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the US and Iran. He expressed Qatar’s full support for Pakistan’s peace efforts. Both leaders expressed satisfaction with the first round of technical-level talks held in Burgenstock, Switzerland, and stated that positive momentum must continue so that negotiations can be successful. The two leaders also agreed that it would be important to safeguard the talks from detractors, the statement added. A day earlier, Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar said Israel “nearly derailed” the talks with its strikes in Lebanon. The PM reiterated his invitation to the Qatari ruler to visit Pakistan. In response, Mr Al Thani expressed his willingness to visit Pakistan later this year to discuss bilateral cooperation and regional developments. Separately, the PM also received a phone call from Tabuk Governor Prince Fahd, in which the Saudi official lauded Pakistan’s remarkable diplomatic efforts to secure an understanding between the US and Iran. The PM said that Pakistan’s peace efforts were aimed at ensuring regional peace and stability, with the support of friendly countries, including Saudi Arabia. The talks between the US and Iran are expected to resume next week, but the date and venue for these talks have not been confirmed. Both sides, however, continue to make contrasting statements on multiple issues. According to US President Donald Trump, Iran had assured him that no fees would be collected from ships in the Strait of Hormuz. He did not specify whether those assurances would remain in place after the 60-day negotiating period. In comments to the media after a lunch with Republican senators, Trump said, “Iran is agreeing to everything I want, and they have to. Otherwise, we just go back and do what we have to do.” Just a day earlier, Iran and Oman had discussed charging fees in the vital strait. The Strait of Hormuz, through which roughly 20 per cent of the world’s crude oil and liquefied natural gas normally transits, was closed by Iran after it was attacked by the US and Israel. Iran lifted its blockade as part of an accord signed with the US last week which extended an ongoing ceasefire by 60 days and set in place a memorandum of understanding aimed at permanently ending the war. Gulf talks on Hormuz Qatar’s PM Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani travelled to Oman on Wednesday to initiate talks between the Gulf states, Iraq and Iran on the Strait of Hormuz, AFP reported citing an unnamed diplomat. “The Qatari prime minister travelled to Muscat in preparation for talks between Iran, the Gulf nations and Iraq on the operation of the Strait of Hormuz,” the diplomat told AFP, saying the discussions were separate from US-Iran negotiations. The diplomat explained Gulf countries would push for freedom of navigation through the strait and no imposition of fees for transit while Iran was expected to ask for an environmental and security service fee for crossing the vital waterway. Pakistan, which has mediated US-Iran talks alongside Qatar, was also expected to be involved in the regional Hormuz discussions. A separate summit was also expected between the Gulf countries and potentially with other regional neighbours with Iran to mend ties in Saudi Arabia. The separate talks on reconciliation between Gulf countries and Iran expected in Riyadh could also include other regional neighbours, the diplomat said, without specifying a date for the summit. Nuclear disagreement Besides Hormuz, another key sticking point has been Iran’s nuclear programme. US President Donald Trump on Tuesday said that Tehran had “fully and completely agreed” to allow UN inspectors to return to the country, but Iran said it had no intention of doing so. The controversy deepened on Wednesday after UN nuclear watchdog head Rafael Grossi said the UN watchdog will carry out inspections in Iran soon following an interim peace accord. “The inspections will indeed take place,” International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) chief Grossi told a press conference in Japan, an audio recording of which the IAEA posted online. “We will be working on the modalities — dates, procedures, places — very soon,” he said of discussions with Tehran. Iran’s Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi responded that there were currently no plans to grant access to attacked nuclear facilities or nuclear material. He said such issues would only be addressed within the framework of a final agreement with Washington and after “practical steps” to lift US sanctions on Iran. “Paragraph 8 of this memorandum of understanding states explicitly that nuclear activities that are going to be carried out with regards to nuclear material, facilities, will be supervised by the IAEA, in bold letters,” Mr Grossi said. “Obviously, to do that, we will have to inspect… So this is going to happen. Of course, if they (Iran) want to comply with the agreement. If they don’t want (to), it’s another matter.” Tehran appeared to push back on Grossi’s comments. “Media noise cannot be used to impose facts on the ground,” Mr Gharibabadi wrote on X, indicating that inspection arrangements remained contingent on progress in negotiations over sanctions lifting. ‘Declaration of defeat’ Meanwhile, Iran called the deal to end the Middle East war “a declaration of America’s defeat” with its top negotiator Bagher Ghalibaf saying that security in the Middle East must be ensured by the countries of the reigon. “We see the future of the region not in confrontation but in interaction and not in elimination but in coexistence,” Mr Ghalibaf said. “The Islamabad understanding was not the result of pressure and coercion, but rather the result of the resistance and authority of the brave Iranian nation,” he said. However, Trump told reporters at the Capitol that the United Stated is winning in the Iran war. He said, “The war is going very well. As you know, we’re winning by a lot. Iran is making very big concessions. We’ll see what happens — but it has been very, very, very powerful.” Despite these claims, the US president during a meeting with Nato chief Mark Rutte in the Oval Office told him he was “let down” by members of the transatlantic alliance who did not back his war against Iran. “We were let down. We didn’t need help on this at all. We demolished (Iran) literally in the first week but it would have been nice if they would have said, ‘We’d like to help,’” he added. Published in Dawn, June 25th, 2026
Burgenstock'ta ABD-İran Barışı İçin 60 Günlük Yol HaritasıPM Shehbaz, Qatari emir express satisfaction at 'positive progress' of US-Iran talks, agree to sustain momentum
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif held a phone call with the Qatari emir on Wednesday, during which he said the two leaders expressed satisfaction at the “positive progress” made in the first round of technical talks between the US and Iran in Switzerland and agreed to sustain this momentum. “Had a warm and most cordial telephone conversation with my dear brother, His Highness Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, emir of the State of Qatar, this afternoon,” PM Shehbaz posted on X. He added that he thanked the Qatari emir for his country’s “steadfast support for the peace efforts that culminated in the historic Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding”, which was signed by the US and Iran on June 18. “We expressed satisfaction at the positive progress made during the first round of technical talks in Bürgenstock and agreed on the importance of sustaining this momentum through continued dialogue and diplomacy,” he wrote. PM Shehbaz also thanked the Qatari emir for his “kind condolences on the tragic loss of a Pakistani national in the recent fire incident in Ras Laffan”, referring to the blast at the liquefied natural gas (LNG) complex. At least 13 people died and 66 were injured in the incident, which Qatar attributed to a technical malfunction. A dozen of the deceased were Indian nationals. The prime minister appreciated the Qatari leadership for its “generous hospitality towards the vibrant Pakistani community in Qatar”. Affirming that Islamabad values its close brotherly ties with Doha, PM Shehbaz said his country looked forward to welcoming the Qatari emir “later this year”. Key direct talks — dubbed the “Lake Lucerne Summit” — were held between the top leadership of the US and Iran on June 20-21 in Switzerland’s Bürgenstock, kicking off negotiations under the Islamabad MoU. The talks held in the Swiss resort of Burgenstock were mediated by Pakistan and Qatar, with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Chief of Defence Forces Field Marshal Asim Munir representing Pakistan. Under the 14-point accord, which PM Shehbaz had signed as the mediator, the US and Iran agreed on a framework to end the war, reopen the Strait of Hormuz and negotiate on key issues within 60 days of the signing. The Lake Lucerne Summit created a mechanism for further technical talks between Washington and Tehran, which were to continue this week. The summit set up a contact channel to “avoid incidents and miscommunication” in the Strait of Hormuz and agreed on a “de-confliction cell” to prevent fighting in Lebanon from erupting again. Following those talks, the US temporarily suspended sanctions on Iranian oil. The general licence allows the sale of crude oil and petrochemical and petroleum products of Iranian origin through August 21. In his remarks alongside Iran’s President Masoud Pezeshkian, who visited Islamabad on Tuesday, PM Shehbaz had thanked the Qatari emir’s “pivotal role” in the peace efforts. He had also expressed his appreciation for the “steadfast support and encouragement” of Saudi Arabia, Turkiye and Egypt during the process
Ex Berlusconi villa in Sardinia sold to Qatari sheikh, ex PM
(ANSA) - ROME, JUN 24 - The former Sardinian luxury villa of late premier Silvio Berlusconi has been sold to Qatari Sheikh Hamad bin Jassim bin Jaber Al Thani, the former prime minister of the Gulf emirate, the Berlusconi family holding company Fininvest said Wednesday, confirming media reports. Villa Certosa has been sold to the royal family's Constellation real estate group for an undisclosed sum, it said. The Sultan of Brunei had also voiced interest in the 500 million euro villa, for decades one of the most famous private estates in Europe. Located on the stunning coastline of Sardinia, the sprawling waterfront compound became closely associated with three-time ex premier Berlusconi and his larger-than-life lifestyle. Satellite images of 150-acre Villa Certosa show an amphitheatre on the grounds, and Berlusconi reportedly built a giant mock volcano on the property for a party, as well as an underground escape tunnel to the beach for a quick getaway of needed. The villa was not the main location for the media mogul's infamous bunga bunga sex parties, which largely took place at his primary residence at Arcore outside Milan. (ANSA). Read article...
Qatari PM says $300B Iran reconstruction fund 'aspirational'
Qatari Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani said a proposed $300 billion investment fund for Iran represents an "aspirational number," noting that Gulf states could participate only if Tehran reaches a definitive settlement with the United States.
İran Savaşı Sonrası ABD ve İsrail'in Güç KaybıQatar says Iran dialogue 'necessary' despite 'unacceptable' acts
Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani said dialogue with Tehran remains essential to guarantee regional security and stability, describing recent developments affecting Doha and other Gulf states as "unacceptable" while calling for a unified Gulf vision and a new regional security framework to prevent repeated crises.
Can mediators save the Iran deal despite the Lebanon poison pill?
On June 18, Iran and the U.S. signed an agreement, titled the “Islamabad Memorandum,” which committed both countries to an immediate and permanent end to hostilities, the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, and 60 days of negotiations to reach a final agreement. Within 48 hours, Iran had closed the strait again. The reason was neither the failure of nuclear negotiations (which hadn’t yet commenced) nor a dispute over sanctions relief. It was Lebanon, a country that appears in the deal’s opening clause three times. The Lebanese government was not a party to the negotiations, nor was it consulted. What the Lebanon standoff reveals is that the Islamabad Memorandum was designed to solve American problems without resolving the structural deadlocks that keep Lebanon at war. If fully implemented, the Islamabad Memorandum would be the most consequential diplomatic instrument produced in the Middle East in years. But its Lebanon provisions are irreconcilable on their face because the parties whose behavior in Lebanon actually matters (Israel, Iran, Hezbollah and Lebanon’s executive) hold interests that cannot be simultaneously reconciled. What has kept the deal alive in its chaotic first week has been the sheer energy of its mediators. Iran’s foreign minister, Abbas Araghchi, praised Qatar and Pakistan for their “tireless” mediation. The meetings reportedly spanned 18 hours of talks at a lakeside resort in Bürgenstock, Switzerland. Despite a major hiccup, during which Iran’s negotiating team reportedly left the building after a threat by President Donald Trump to “hit Iran very hard again,” talks did not collapse. By Monday, Pakistan and Qatar announced a “de-confliction cell” for Lebanon, to ensure events in Lebanon don’t collapse talks between the U.S. and Iran. Iran’s top diplomat called the Lebanon cell the deal’s “first real test,” which is an apt description of the challenge that lies therein. The mediators have not resolved Lebanon’s contradiction, though they have, for now, built a structure to manage it and hopefully prevent it from threatening to unravel the entire agreement. Article One of the Islamabad Memorandum requires “ensuring the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Lebanon.” This means that Israeli forces must leave Lebanese soil. Yet Israel, which currently occupies 234 square miles of the country's south, shows no intention of doing so. Israel's prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, said Israeli forces will stay “as long as we need to protect our people.” Iran insists a continued Israeli presence violates the agreement. Over the last few days, the gap widened further: Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir urged Netanyahu to tell Trump “we cannot fulfill this agreement,” declaring that Lebanon should be “Israel’s playground.” Washington’s ambassador to Israel, Mike Huckabee, floated the idea of deporting all of Hezbollah’s members to “the ‘mothership’ in Iran,” while the Lebanese government position is that Israel’s withdrawal would enable the Lebanese state to “extend its authority...and eliminate any justification for the persistence of weapons.” All parties with a stake in Lebanon hold irreconcilable positions, and Israel, the party doing the occupying, is not even at the table with the U.S. and Iran. President Trump has claimed this doesn’t matter, arguing that “they have a lot of respect for me, and they do as I say.” But the Israeli response, articulated by its finance minister, Bezalel Smotrich, has been to promise a presence in Lebanon for years, regardless of American demands. Underneath the recent geopolitical wrangling, the internal deadlock in Lebanon is also unchanged. Hezbollah will not discuss disarmament while Lebanese territory is occupied; the group’s leader, Naim Qassem, rejected Israel’s occupation outright and called the Islamabad Memorandum a “great victory” for Iran. The Lebanese executive, led by President Joseph Aoun and Prime Minister Nawaf Salam, has pledged to bring all weapons under state control without possessing the means or political consensus to do so. Hezbollah remains a formidable parliamentary force, and Speaker of the Parliament Nabih Berri is a crucial ally who is structurally positioned to prevent any disarmament framework from advancing. The possibility that Tehran will direct funds to Hezbollah once sanctions are relaxed is also real. Over the past year, Iran has reportedly engineered new channels to funnel money to Hezbollah. Washington says funds must not reach the designated terrorist organization, and, defending the agreement, Vice President JD Vance told reporters that “we actually know where the money’s going to move…and we’re going to be able to see if they try to fund terrorist organizations.” Just last week, the U.S. Treasury sanctioned Hezbollah official Mahmoud Qamati for coordinating cash smuggling from Iran to Hezbollah. Despite these measures and crippling sanctions, Iran moved $1 billion to Hezbollah in the first ten months of 2025 alone, according to the U.S. Treasury Department, which used the claim to slap on more sanctions in November of last year. A deal that relaxes those sanctions is unlikely to defund Iran’s most potent regional assets. If the money flows, Hezbollah could recover, with its weapons intact, and its internal position strengthened by the very diplomacy meant to constrain it. Against this, the West’s capacity-building offer to the Lebanese state remains thin relative to the timeline. Washington is mediating historic bilateral talks between Israel in Lebanon, with another round in Washington set for this week. On top of that, it is leading plans to boost support and training for the Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF). France has also announced that it plans to shore up additional support for the LAF by hosting a conference. All of these efforts aim to make the Lebanese army strong enough to disarm Hezbollah — a proposition that, if ever attempted by force, carries the risk of civil war. These efforts are significant, but the LAF has received only $3 billion in U.S. support in over 20 years. The army has been deliberately kept below the threshold that would make it a genuine counterforce to Hezbollah, in large part due to U.S. law, which requires Washington to ensure arms sales to Middle Eastern countries don’t erode Israel’s "qualitative military edge.” The Lebanese army is the price of that doctrine, and that structural reality, built over decades, is now colliding with the 60-day clock set by the Islamabad Memorandum. What is new, however, is the powerful diplomatic will now backing the deal. Qatar and Pakistan have demonstrated bandwidth and persistence that the U.S., distracted and erratic, has not. Trump spent the last week simultaneously threatening Iran, praising Netanyahu as a “warrior prime minister,” and suggesting Syria might fight Hezbollah (an idea that Syria’s president publicly ruled out). Against this background, the mediators have inserted structure, sequencing and follow-through. A ceasefire in Lebanon between Hezbollah and Israel has held since Saturday. In the days prior, the White House has taken an unusually stern approach with Israel. Trump said he was “not happy with the way Israel has handled themselves with Lebanon.” Vance went further, warning that Trump is “the only head of state in the entire world sympathetic to Israel.” This public break with a historically untouchable ally helped keep the Iranians at the table in Switzerland, producing the next steps for Lebanon (and other files) proudly broadcast by Pakistan and Qatar on Monday. Lebanese President Joseph Aoun spent the day working to consolidate that situation with Vance, White House Envoy Jared Kushner, and Qatari Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed Al Thani. For the first time, there is a mechanism designed to absorb the shocks that Lebanon keeps generating. The difference, and the danger, this time is that the framework for ending the war in Lebanon is wired directly into a nuclear negotiation and the global energy supply. Every Israeli strike on Lebanese soil now directly impacts the Strait of Hormuz. The test now is whether two determined mediators can use this opportunity to resolve the irreconcilable interests of Hezbollah, Iran, Israel, and the Lebanese leadership.
ABD-İran Mutabakatına Rağmen İsrail Güney Lübnan’da 4 Kişiyi ÖldürdüDiplomats scramble as doubts persist over Lebanon truce
• US, Qatari officials engage Lebanese president, discuss creation of ‘deconfliction cell’ • Ceasefire largely holds; isolated Israeli fire, drone activity, warning shots reported BEIRUT: A ceasefire largely held in Lebanon on Monday, marking the longest lull in three months of war between Hezbollah and Israel, even as persisting fears of a collapse kept displaced residents from returning, while Lebanese president discussed the truce with US and Qatari officials. While adherence to the ceasefire was “almost total” since Saturday evening, a senior Lebanese security official said an Israeli tank fired shells toward a village near Tyre. Israeli forces also fired sound grenades in two other locations on Monday, and an Israeli drone buzzed over Beirut. Hassan Wazni, director of a hospital in the heavily bombarded southern city of Nabatieh, said calm had prevailed since Saturday. “I’m monitoring the situation day by day, and most of the time I’m sleeping in the hospital. This is the longest a ceasefire has held,” Wazni said. However, people remained hesitant to return, he noted, as a prior ceasefire declared on Friday quickly collapsed, leaving 20 people dead in Israeli attacks Saturday, according to Lebanon’s civil defence. “People are still uneasy,” Wazni said. The municipal council of Zawtar El Charqiyeh warned residents on social media against returning until it is safe to do so. Israeli forces remain deployed deep inside southern Lebanon, occupying a self-declared security zone where they have been razing villages. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said troops retain full freedom of action to thwart any Hezbollah threats and will remain in Lebanon for “as long as is necessary”, while Hezbollah chief Naim Qassem rejected any Israeli “security zone” inside Lebanon. Israeli strikes and clashes with Hezbollah late last week threatened to derail the deal after Iran said it had closed the strategic Strait of Hormuz again in response to Israel’s attacks. However, Israel lifted safety restrictions in eight border communities early on Monday. Diplomacy Meanwhile, Lebanese President Joseph Aoun discussed efforts to consolidate the ceasefire and halt Israeli military escalation during a phone call with US Vice President JD Vance, senior adviser Jared Kushner and Qatari Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani. They discussed “the issue of consolidating the ceasefire in Lebanon, stopping the Israeli military escalation and steps that should be taken in this regard, including the possibility of forming a cell for this purpose,” the statement from the Lebanese presidency said. After a first round of US-Iran talks in Switzerland aimed at ending the broader Middle East war, mediators Pakistan and Qatar announced that Tehran and Washington had agreed to set up the cell while Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi wrote on X: “1st real test: Lebanon deconfliction cell.” Vance told reporters in Switzerland that the mechanism aims to ensure “that when things happen, they don’t spiral into a broader escalation.” “We do believe … that we can get to a place where Lebanon’s territorial integrity and sovereignty is protected, Israel’s security is protected,” Vance said. “That’s going to require some coordination with the Lebanese armed forces, and also it’s going to require the Iranians to rein in Hezbollah.” Under US pressure, Lebanese officials began direct talks with Israel in April, with a fifth round scheduled for today. Lebanese authorities are seeking the withdrawal of Israeli troops and to separate their negotiations from the US-Iran deal. “We negotiate for ourselves, and we do not accept any other party doing so for us,” Aoun said. “We welcome any assistance … but there is a big difference between trying to help us and interfering in our internal affairs,” he added. Published in Dawn, June 23rd, 2026
ABD-İran Mutabakatına Rağmen İsrail Güney Lübnan’da 4 Kişiyi ÖldürdüFive moments from the Burgenstock summit that got people talking
All eyes were on Burgenstock over the weekend as high-level delegations from the United States, Iran, Qatar and Pakistan descended upon the idyllic Swiss hamlet to iron out the details of the Islamabad Memorandum. The US team of Vice President JD Vance, US Special Envoy Steve Witkoff and US President Donald Trump’s son-in-law, Jared Kushner, came face-to-face with the Iranian team comprising chief negotiator and parliamentary speaker, Bagher Ghalibaf, and Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, in a rare meeting outside of Islamabad. The talks were hosted and mediated by the Pakistani team of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Chief of Defence Forces Field Marshal Asim Munir, Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi and Information Minister Ataullah Tarar, along with a Qatari delegation led by Qatari Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani. The media circus unfolding above Lake Lucerne managed to capture moments from the historic talks that would otherwise never have been seen by ordinary observers sitting in their own homes. Here are the top 5 viral moments that got people talking: 1. Field Marshal Munir one of ‘two very, very important people’ in my life: US VP Vance In his opening address at the summit, VP Vance took a lighter note, saying: “I have joked that I have two very, very important people in my life — an Indian and a Pakistani. The Indian is my wife and the Pakistani is Field Marshal Munir.” “I’ve probably talked to Field Marshal Munir more than I’ve talked to anybody else over the last three months,” he added. 2. ‘We love Pakistan’: VP Vance In the lead-up to the opening of the summit, VP Vance was asked by a member of the press what he thought of Pakistan’s role in the talks. Vance responded: “Very good.” “We love Pakistan, thank you,” he grinned, hitting a quick thumbs up before entering the venue. 3. PM Shehbaz shows off his German skills A little-known fun fact: PM Shehbaz is a polyglot, fluent in German, Arabic, English, Urdu and Punjabi, with a basic hold on Turkish, Chinese, Russian, Pashto and Sindhi. It comes as no surprise that he took the opportunity to dust off his German for reporters covering the talks. 4. Araghchi seems to avoid Vance in front of the cameras Iran’s negotiating team refused a planned exchange of handshakes and a group photograph with their US counterparts. Iranian FM Araghchi briefly walked into the meeting room and embraced PM Shehbaz, but did not interact with Vance, who remained at the back of the room until Araghchi had moved away. Vance then approached PM Shehbaz and CDF Munir, the former appearing concerned during the exchange. 5. ‘What’s up?’ Vance greets CDF Munir; ‘My brother,’ CDF Munir addresses Witkoff As the Pakistani and American delegations greeted each other upon arrival at the venue, cameras picked up a cordial exchange as FM Munir met VP Vance and Witkoff. Vance greeted CDF Munir saying, “What’s up?” As CDF Munir hugged Witkoff, he was heard addressing him as: “My brother.”
After hours-long talks in Burgenstock, US and Iran agree on roadmap to reach final peace deal in 60 days
After hours-long negotiations in the Swiss resort of Burgenstock, the US and Iran agreed on a roadmap towards reaching a final peace deal in 60 days, a joint statement issued by mediators Pakistan and Qatar said on Monday. The talks began on Sunday and stretched into Monday, being held under the framework of the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding that was signed between the two sides on Thursday. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif also signed the breakthrough interim peace deal as a mediator, marking a significant step towards end a war that began in late February. ‘Genuinely mean to promote peace’ On Sunday, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, while speaking to the press in Burgenstock, praised the Iranian delegation’s dignity and attempts at de-escalation. “I think the genuinely mean to promote peace in the region,” PM Shehbaz said of the Iranian leadership, adding, “So does President Trump.” “I have no second thoughts about the fact that he is a man of peace — He has demonstrated that during the war between Pakistan and India,” he said. Delegations from the US and Iran reached the Swiss resort for talks after signing a memorandum of understanding, aimed at ending a war that began in late February. PM Shehbaz also signed the interim peace deal as a mediator, and is facilitating the talks in Switzerland alongside his Qatari counterpart. PM Shehbaz was optimistic about the “renewed friendship” with the US, and hoped it would grow into a relationship of close coordination and cooperation between the two countries. First round of talks Closed-door quadripartite negotations between the US and Iran kicked off earlier today, with Qatar and Pakistan participating in a mediatory role. As the talks began, US President Donald Trump in a post on Truth Social had threatened Iran over unrest in Lebanon, one of the key issues on the table during today’s talks. “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!!!” he said. Separately in an interview with Fox News, the US president issued threats over the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, claiming that he maintains “a variety of options” at his disposal. Roughly 80 minutes into the talks, Iranian media reported a pause, with delegations withdrawing to hold internal consultations. Following reports of the pause, Iran’s chief negotiator Bagher Ghalibaf in a statement on X dismissed US threats, cautioning Washington to “be careful”. He vowed that Tehran stood “ready to respond”. Separately, Iran’s Fars news agency quoted Hossein Gurbanzadeh, a member of Iran’s negotiating team, as saying that that talks covered the issue of Tehran’s frozen assets and the arrangements for their release Discussions focused on sanctions relief tied to Iran’s energy sector, he said, adding: “In Switzerland, we discussed the temporary exemption from sanctions on oil and its derivatives, and the final draft of a proposal on this matter has been completed.” ‘Peace requires give and take’ Addressing the opening ceremony ahead of the closed-door talks, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif hoped for an outcome that would ensure peace, progress and prosperity globally. PM Shehbaz said he was looking forward to productive talks, and expressed satisfaction that the joint efforts of everyone involved in the peace process had culminated in the meet 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. He thanked US President Trump and VP JD Vance for their leadership, and praised Chief of Defence Forces (CDF) Field Marshal Asim Munir for his consistent efforts, perseverence and patience during the mediation process. US Vice President JD Vance told the press that “peace requires give and take”. “This is a historic meet. Never before have Iranian and American leadership met at such a high level outside of Islamabad,” he said. “What today really represents is the beginning of a technical negotiation that’s not going to solve every disagreement, but is going to allow us to sit together as teams, for the first time really in history, to figure out what matters most to the respective parties, to settle those issues, to solve those issues, and get to a better tomorrow,” he told reporters. “The reason why the political leadership of the respective countries is here is because we wanted to, first of all, set up the structure for these technical negotiations, and second of all, make sure that our teams have our full support and know they can always call on us to break through any barriers.” Thanking US President Donald Trump “for empowering us to find a diplomatic solution”, Vance said a great deal had “already been accomplished” and the team looked forward to seeing “how much more we can accomplish together”. “Can we change relations in the Middle East, or do we go back to doing things the old way?” he said. “Where Iran and the Gulf have had an unfriendly relationship, or Iran has been a driver of regional instability? We see a future where everyone can work together to promote peace and prosperity for everyone.” Vance said Trump is committed to a “full regional ceasefire”, including Lebanon. These kinds of ceasefires are always “a little bit messy”, but they had seen progress over the last few days, he added. Vance also shared appreciation for PM Shehbaz and CDF Munir, saying: “I have joked that I have two very, very important people in my life. An Indian and a Pakistani. The Indian is my wife, and the Pakistani is Field Marshal Munir,” he said, adding that he had “probably talked to Field Marshal 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,” he said. The president, he said, had urged him to “turn over a new leaf to transform our relationship with the people of Iran, and to extend an outstretched hand”. Qatari Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani also speaking at the opening ceremony, thanked both the US and Iranian delegations for their efforts to make peace in the Middle East. “I think that everyone 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,” the Qatari PM said. “I would like to thank all of you for your leadership and determination that put us in this room. This is not really the main celebration, this is just the beginning and I wish everyone all the best,” Al Thani said. He added that Qatar would remain dedicated to the partnership to support mediation efforts until a solution is reached. Before the start of their remarks, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi briefly walked into the room and embraced PM Shehbaz, the White House Press Pool Reports said in a statement released on X. “He was there just a short time before walking out again and did not during that time interact with Vance, who was on the other side of the room,” it added. The media were ushered out of the meeting room as the talks began. Technical groups to help negotiate MoU clauses: Qatar The ‘technical-level’ talks today seek to iron out the details of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed between Tehran and Washington to cease hostilities and negotiate a framework to end the war. Under the agreement, the US and Iran have agreed on a framework to end the war, lift the US blockade of Iran and reopen the Strait of Hormuz. Also on the table will be discussions about the unfreezing of Iranian assets and sale of Iranian oil. In a statement, the Qatari foreign ministry announced “the launch of the Lucerne Lake Summit and the first high-level committee meeting” between the four sides, which it hoped would “lead to reaching a comprehensive and permanent agreement that addresses all aspects covered by the Memorandum of Understanding.” The Qatari foreign ministry spokesman Dr Majed bin Mohammed Al-Ansari stated that “technical and specialised groups have been formed to negotiate the final agreement’s clauses, which will cover all aspects of the Memorandum of Understanding.” “Additionally, follow-up groups have been established to oversee the implementation of the memorandum and track the progress achieved toward reaching the final agreement, reflecting the commitment of all parties to proceed in the negotiation process in good faith and with the goal of reaching a comprehensive and sustainable agreement.” He emphasized that the State of Qatar, as one of the mediating countries, will continue to work with the Islamic Republic of Pakistan and all concerned parties to create a positive environment that enables the negotiations to achieve their goals, based on its firm belief that dialogue and diplomacy represent the optimal path for conflict resolution and dispute settlement. The Qatari foreign ministry spokesperson also appreciated the “important role” played by Pakistan as a partner and mediator, praising Islamabad’s “documented and continuous efforts in supporting the negotiation process”. He also expressed appreciation for Washington and Tehran’s commitment to finding a diplomatic solution, and for the support provided by Saudi Arabia, Turkey, Egypt and the United Arab Emirates, as well as other friendly countries that “contributed to creating favorable conditions to push this process forward.” Delegations meet ahead of talks The quadrilateral meeting follows bilateral and tripartite meetings between the different parties participating in the talks. Iranian state television said that delegations from Iran, Qatar and the US were holding a meeting to discuss a ceasefire in Lebanon and Iran’s frozen assets. “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 in a report. The Foreign Office (FO) said that Pakistan would hold bilateral interactions with the participating delegations from Iran, Qatar, Switzerland and the US, to “reaffirm Pakistan’s enduring commitment to dialogue and durable peace in the region”. Ahead of the quadrilateral meeting, PM Shehbaz and CDF Munir met the US negotiating team, led by VP Vance. The Pakistani delegation also met the Iranian delegation led by Ghalibaf. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi and Information Minister Attaullah Tarar were also part of the meeting. Delegations from the US, Iran, Qatar, and Pakistan had arrived at the venue on Sunday morning amid tight security and heavy media presence. A senior official of the Prime Minister’s Office told Dawn it is not yet confirmed if the Pakistani delegation will return today, the source added. State broadcaster PTV, which is reporting live from Burgenstock, said that technical-level talks between the US and Iranian delegations could “extend into tomorrow” and that there was no formal timeframe announced yet, and that the discussions would continue for “as long as necessary”. However, Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmail Baghaei, speaking to IRNA, said that a one-day session was planned, which is expected to feature bilateral meetings with mediators Pakistan and Qatar in the morning, followed by quadrilateral talks in the afternoon. Pakistani delegation arrives The Prime Minister’s Office said PM Shehbaz and his delegation arrived in Zurich earlier on Sunday morning to participate in the talks, after which they travelled to Burgenstock, the venue for the hotly anticipated talks. State broadcaster PTV reported that the premier was accompanied by Information Minister Ataullah Tarar and other senior government officials. State media also confirmed the arrival of CDF Munir and Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi at the Burgenstock resort. US, Iran teams arrive US Vice President JD Vance and Iran’s Parliament Speaker and head negotiator of the Iranian side Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf also arrived for the talks on implementing the deal. Vance arrived at Emmen Air Base at 5:59am (08:59 PKT), according to his spokesperson. He had taken off for Switzerland on Saturday, saying negotiators would discuss 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. Those are the two big things that I think we’re to be focused on,” Vance told reporters before departing from Joint Base Andrews, saying he could only join the talks “for a day or two”. Vance said the situation in Lebanon was “actually getting better”. “It’s going to be something we’re just going to have to continuously manage to ensure that… Israel and Lebanon are both safe and secure,” he said. “The big problem is that you have somebody will shoot and then somebody will respond, and you kind of have a chicken and egg problem where you’ve just got to stop the shooting for long enough to get the ceasefire to keep hold.” US negotiators Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff were already in Switzerland handling technical elements of the talks, Vance said earlier. Iran’s delegation, which landed in Switzerland in the early hours of Sunday, arrived at Burgenstock for the talks by early afternoon. Iran’s official news agency IRNA said the delegation was led by Ghalibaf and included Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi. Ali Bagheri (Deputy for International Affairs of the Supreme National Security Council Secretariat), Central Bank Governor Abdolnaser Hemmati, National Iranian Oil Company CEO Hamid Bovard, Deputy FM Kazem Gharibabad and Esmail Baqaei were also part of the team. PM Shehbaz, CDF Munir depart for talks In a statement issued in the morning, the FO said PM Shehbaz, accompanied by CDF Munir, left for Bürgenstock to participate in “high-level talks on the implementation of the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding (MoU)”. In its statement, the FO noted that the talks marked the first formal engagement between the US and Iran since the signing of the Islamabad MoU on June 17. It confirmed that high-level delegations from the US, Iran and Qatar will be part of the talks. “Pakistan will continue to support and advance the implementation of the understandings reached between the Islamic Republic of Iran and the US,” the FO affirmed. “Pakistan’s facilitative role underscores its principled, balanced, and constructive approach throughout the crisis, including hosting earlier rounds of US-Iran talks and sustained diplomatic contacts that culminated in the Islamabad MoU.” FO announces talks in Switzerland Earlier on Saturday, the FO announced that technical-level talks will be held in Buergenstock, Switzerland, on Sunday. “Representatives of the United States and Iran, along with mediators from Pakistan and Qatar, will participate in the discussions,” the FO said. “Pakistan will continue to facilitate the process in its role as mediator, with a view to advancing the understandings reached under the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding.” Speaking to Fox News, JD Vance said negotiations with Iran “are going well”, but that the US “has all the cards”. Meanwhile, foreign ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baqaei announced that Iran will be sending a delegation to Switzerland, according to remarks carried by the Fars news agency. “In Switzerland, we intend to press for the fulfilment of the other side’s commitments and clarify how they plan to act on their obligations,” Baghaei was quoted as saying, emphasising that Iran adhered to its side of the agreement, and the United States is “obligated to compel the Zionist regime (Israel) to cease its attacks on Lebanon”. “If part of the counterpart’s commitments is not implemented, the entirety of the agreement will be jeopardised,” the spokesperson was quoted as saying. “The counterpart must take the necessary measures as soon as possible; otherwise, the agreement will be jeopardised,” he added. US-Iran deal The 14-point agreement was signed by US President Donald Trump and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, with PM Shehbaz signing as mediator. Under the deal, Tehran and Washington have agreed on a framework to end the war, reopening of the Strait of Hormuz and a 60-day timeline for further talks. The deal, ending more than 100 days of war, has been widely welcomed by the international community. Once a final agreement is reached on Iran’s nuclear ambitions, the US will also facilitate the release of a $300 billion reconstruction fund supported by regional nations, the deal says. More to follow.
Burgenstock'ta ABD-İran Barışı İçin 60 Günlük Yol HaritasıHave held 'robust discussions on all elements of nuclear deal', says US as talks with Iran stretch into second day
Talks between the US and Iran in Switzerland’s Burgenstock have stretched into Monday, with an American official saying that several key issues, including “all elements of the nuclear deal” have been discussed so far. “We’ve had robust discussions on all elements of the nuclear deal,” the official said, speaking of a key sticking point between the two sides. The official detailed that the discussion also covered “clarifying some of the confusing messaging from Iran on the Strait [of Hormuz] and building deconfliction mechanisms to ensure the strait will remain fully open. We have also worked through deconfliction mechanisms and enforcing the ceasefire in southern Lebanon”. “We plan to continue working through each of these issues and using today’s work as a starting point for ongoing technical talks going forward,” the official said. They added, “We anticipate continuing to work through the night.” ‘Genuinely mean to promote peace’ On Sunday, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, while speaking to the press in Burgenstock, praised the Iranian delegation’s dignity and attempts at de-escalation. “I think the genuinely mean to promote peace in the region,” PM Shehbaz said of the Iranian leadership, adding, “So does President Trump.” “I have no second thoughts about the fact that he is a man of peace — He has demonstrated that during the war between Pakistan and India,” he said. Delegations from the US and Iran reached the Swiss resort for talks after signing a memorandum of understanding, aimed at ending a war that began in late February. PM Shehbaz also signed the interim peace deal as a mediator, and is facilitating the talks in Switzerland alongside his Qatari counterpart. PM Shehbaz was optimistic about the “renewed friendship” with the US, and hoped it would grow into a relationship of close coordination and cooperation between the two countries. First round of talks Closed-door quadripartite negotations between the US and Iran kicked off earlier today, with Qatar and Pakistan participating in a mediatory role. As the talks began, US President Donald Trump in a post on Truth Social had threatened Iran over unrest in Lebanon, one of the key issues on the table during today’s talks. “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!!!” he said. Separately in an interview with Fox News, the US president issued threats over the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, claiming that he maintains “a variety of options” at his disposal. Roughly 80 minutes into the talks, Iranian media reported a pause, with delegations withdrawing to hold internal consultations. Following reports of the pause, Iran’s chief negotiator Bagher Ghalibaf in a statement on X dismissed US threats, cautioning Washington to “be careful”. He vowed that Tehran stood “ready to respond”. Separately, Iran’s Fars news agency quoted Hossein Gurbanzadeh, a member of Iran’s negotiating team, as saying that that talks covered the issue of Tehran’s frozen assets and the arrangements for their release Discussions focused on sanctions relief tied to Iran’s energy sector, he said, adding: “In Switzerland, we discussed the temporary exemption from sanctions on oil and its derivatives, and the final draft of a proposal on this matter has been completed.” ‘Peace requires give and take’ Addressing the opening ceremony ahead of the closed-door talks, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif hoped for an outcome that would ensure peace, progress and prosperity globally. PM Shehbaz said he was looking forward to productive talks, and expressed satisfaction that the joint efforts of everyone involved in the peace process had culminated in the meet 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. He thanked US President Trump and VP JD Vance for their leadership, and praised Chief of Defence Forces (CDF) Field Marshal Asim Munir for his consistent efforts, perseverence and patience during the mediation process. US Vice President JD Vance told the press that “peace requires give and take”. “This is a historic meet. Never before have Iranian and American leadership met at such a high level outside of Islamabad,” he said. “What today really represents is the beginning of a technical negotiation that’s not going to solve every disagreement, but is going to allow us to sit together as teams, for the first time really in history, to figure out what matters most to the respective parties, to settle those issues, to solve those issues, and get to a better tomorrow,” he told reporters. “The reason why the political leadership of the respective countries is here is because we wanted to, first of all, set up the structure for these technical negotiations, and second of all, make sure that our teams have our full support and know they can always call on us to break through any barriers.” Thanking US President Donald Trump “for empowering us to find a diplomatic solution”, Vance said a great deal had “already been accomplished” and the team looked forward to seeing “how much more we can accomplish together”. “Can we change relations in the Middle East, or do we go back to doing things the old way?” he said. “Where Iran and the Gulf have had an unfriendly relationship, or Iran has been a driver of regional instability? We see a future where everyone can work together to promote peace and prosperity for everyone.” Vance said Trump is committed to a “full regional ceasefire”, including Lebanon. These kinds of ceasefires are always “a little bit messy”, but they had seen progress over the last few days, he added. Vance also shared appreciation for PM Shehbaz and CDF Munir, saying: “I have joked that I have two very, very important people in my life. An Indian and a Pakistani. The Indian is my wife, and the Pakistani is Field Marshal Munir,” he said, adding that he had “probably talked to Field Marshal 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,” he said. The president, he said, had urged him to “turn over a new leaf to transform our relationship with the people of Iran, and to extend an outstretched hand”. Qatari Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani also speaking at the opening ceremony, thanked both the US and Iranian delegations for their efforts to make peace in the Middle East. “I think that everyone 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,” the Qatari PM said. “I would like to thank all of you for your leadership and determination that put us in this room. This is not really the main celebration, this is just the beginning and I wish everyone all the best,” Al Thani said. He added that Qatar would remain dedicated to the partnership to support mediation efforts until a solution is reached. Before the start of their remarks, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi briefly walked into the room and embraced PM Shehbaz, the White House Press Pool Reports said in a statement released on X. “He was there just a short time before walking out again and did not during that time interact with Vance, who was on the other side of the room,” it added. The media were ushered out of the meeting room as the talks began. Technical groups to help negotiate MoU clauses: Qatar The ‘technical-level’ talks today seek to iron out the details of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed between Tehran and Washington to cease hostilities and negotiate a framework to end the war. Under the agreement, the US and Iran have agreed on a framework to end the war, lift the US blockade of Iran and reopen the Strait of Hormuz. Also on the table will be discussions about the unfreezing of Iranian assets and sale of Iranian oil. In a statement, the Qatari foreign ministry announced “the launch of the Lucerne Lake Summit and the first high-level committee meeting” between the four sides, which it hoped would “lead to reaching a comprehensive and permanent agreement that addresses all aspects covered by the Memorandum of Understanding.” The Qatari foreign ministry spokesman Dr Majed bin Mohammed Al-Ansari stated that “technical and specialised groups have been formed to negotiate the final agreement’s clauses, which will cover all aspects of the Memorandum of Understanding.” “Additionally, follow-up groups have been established to oversee the implementation of the memorandum and track the progress achieved toward reaching the final agreement, reflecting the commitment of all parties to proceed in the negotiation process in good faith and with the goal of reaching a comprehensive and sustainable agreement.” He emphasized that the State of Qatar, as one of the mediating countries, will continue to work with the Islamic Republic of Pakistan and all concerned parties to create a positive environment that enables the negotiations to achieve their goals, based on its firm belief that dialogue and diplomacy represent the optimal path for conflict resolution and dispute settlement. The Qatari foreign ministry spokesperson also appreciated the “important role” played by Pakistan as a partner and mediator, praising Islamabad’s “documented and continuous efforts in supporting the negotiation process”. He also expressed appreciation for Washington and Tehran’s commitment to finding a diplomatic solution, and for the support provided by Saudi Arabia, Turkey, Egypt and the United Arab Emirates, as well as other friendly countries that “contributed to creating favorable conditions to push this process forward.” Delegations meet ahead of talks The quadrilateral meeting follows bilateral and tripartite meetings between the different parties participating in the talks. Iranian state television said that delegations from Iran, Qatar and the US were holding a meeting to discuss a ceasefire in Lebanon and Iran’s frozen assets. “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 in a report. The Foreign Office (FO) said that Pakistan would hold bilateral interactions with the participating delegations from Iran, Qatar, Switzerland and the US, to “reaffirm Pakistan’s enduring commitment to dialogue and durable peace in the region”. Ahead of the quadrilateral meeting, PM Shehbaz and CDF Munir met the US negotiating team, led by VP Vance. The Pakistani delegation also met the Iranian delegation led by Ghalibaf. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi and Information Minister Attaullah Tarar were also part of the meeting. Delegations from the US, Iran, Qatar, and Pakistan had arrived at the venue on Sunday morning amid tight security and heavy media presence. A senior official of the Prime Minister’s Office told Dawn it is not yet confirmed if the Pakistani delegation will return today, the source added. State broadcaster PTV, which is reporting live from Burgenstock, said that technical-level talks between the US and Iranian delegations could “extend into tomorrow” and that there was no formal timeframe announced yet, and that the discussions would continue for “as long as necessary”. However, Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmail Baghaei, speaking to IRNA, said that a one-day session was planned, which is expected to feature bilateral meetings with mediators Pakistan and Qatar in the morning, followed by quadrilateral talks in the afternoon. Pakistani delegation arrives The Prime Minister’s Office said PM Shehbaz and his delegation arrived in Zurich earlier on Sunday morning to participate in the talks, after which they travelled to Burgenstock, the venue for the hotly anticipated talks. State broadcaster PTV reported that the premier was accompanied by Information Minister Ataullah Tarar and other senior government officials. State media also confirmed the arrival of CDF Munir and Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi at the Burgenstock resort. US, Iran teams arrive US Vice President JD Vance and Iran’s Parliament Speaker and head negotiator of the Iranian side Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf also arrived for the talks on implementing the deal. Vance arrived at Emmen Air Base at 5:59am (08:59 PKT), according to his spokesperson. He had taken off for Switzerland on Saturday, saying negotiators would discuss 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. Those are the two big things that I think we’re to be focused on,” Vance told reporters before departing from Joint Base Andrews, saying he could only join the talks “for a day or two”. Vance said the situation in Lebanon was “actually getting better”. “It’s going to be something we’re just going to have to continuously manage to ensure that… Israel and Lebanon are both safe and secure,” he said. “The big problem is that you have somebody will shoot and then somebody will respond, and you kind of have a chicken and egg problem where you’ve just got to stop the shooting for long enough to get the ceasefire to keep hold.” US negotiators Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff were already in Switzerland handling technical elements of the talks, Vance said earlier. Iran’s delegation, which landed in Switzerland in the early hours of Sunday, arrived at Burgenstock for the talks by early afternoon. Iran’s official news agency IRNA said the delegation was led by Ghalibaf and included Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi. Ali Bagheri (Deputy for International Affairs of the Supreme National Security Council Secretariat), Central Bank Governor Abdolnaser Hemmati, National Iranian Oil Company CEO Hamid Bovard, Deputy FM Kazem Gharibabad and Esmail Baqaei were also part of the team. PM Shehbaz, CDF Munir depart for talks In a statement issued in the morning, the FO said PM Shehbaz, accompanied by CDF Munir, left for Bürgenstock to participate in “high-level talks on the implementation of the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding (MoU)”. In its statement, the FO noted that the talks marked the first formal engagement between the US and Iran since the signing of the Islamabad MoU on June 17. It confirmed that high-level delegations from the US, Iran and Qatar will be part of the talks. “Pakistan will continue to support and advance the implementation of the understandings reached between the Islamic Republic of Iran and the US,” the FO affirmed. “Pakistan’s facilitative role underscores its principled, balanced, and constructive approach throughout the crisis, including hosting earlier rounds of US-Iran talks and sustained diplomatic contacts that culminated in the Islamabad MoU.” FO announces talks in Switzerland Earlier on Saturday, the FO announced that technical-level talks will be held in Buergenstock, Switzerland, on Sunday. “Representatives of the United States and Iran, along with mediators from Pakistan and Qatar, will participate in the discussions,” the FO said. “Pakistan will continue to facilitate the process in its role as mediator, with a view to advancing the understandings reached under the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding.” Speaking to Fox News, JD Vance said negotiations with Iran “are going well”, but that the US “has all the cards”. Meanwhile, foreign ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baqaei announced that Iran will be sending a delegation to Switzerland, according to remarks carried by the Fars news agency. “In Switzerland, we intend to press for the fulfilment of the other side’s commitments and clarify how they plan to act on their obligations,” Baghaei was quoted as saying, emphasising that Iran adhered to its side of the agreement, and the United States is “obligated to compel the Zionist regime (Israel) to cease its attacks on Lebanon”. “If part of the counterpart’s commitments is not implemented, the entirety of the agreement will be jeopardised,” the spokesperson was quoted as saying. “The counterpart must take the necessary measures as soon as possible; otherwise, the agreement will be jeopardised,” he added. US-Iran deal The 14-point agreement was signed by US President Donald Trump and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, with PM Shehbaz signing as mediator. Under the deal, Tehran and Washington have agreed on a framework to end the war, reopening of the Strait of Hormuz and a 60-day timeline for further talks. The deal, ending more than 100 days of war, has been widely welcomed by the international community. Once a final agreement is reached on Iran’s nuclear ambitions, the US will also facilitate the release of a $300 billion reconstruction fund supported by regional nations, the deal says. More to follow.
ABD-İran nükleer müzakereleri Burgenstock’ta ikinci güne uzandıUS, Iran genuinely want peace in the region: PM Shehbaz
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif while speaking to the press in Burgenstock, where US, Iranian, Qatari and Pakistani delegations gathered for peace talks on Sunday, praised the Iranian delegation’s cool-headedness, dignity and attempts at de-escalation. “I think they genuinely mean to promote peace in the region,” PM Shehbaz said of the Iranian leadership, adding, “So does President Trump.” “I have no second thoughts about the fact that he is a man of peace — He has demonstrated that during the war between Pakistan and India,” he said. The premier was optimistic about the “renewed friendship” with the US, and hoped it would grow into a relationship of close coordination and cooperation between the two countries. First round of talks Closed-door quadripartite negotations between the US and Iran kicked off earlier today, with Qatar and Pakistan participating in a mediatory role. As the talks began, Fox News reported US President Donald Trump had threatened Iranian leadership over closure of the Strait of Hormuz, claiming that he maintains “a variety of options” at his disposal. Roughly 80 minutes into the talks, Iranian media reported a pause, with delegations withdrawing to hold internal consultations. Following the pause, Iran’s chief negotiator Bagher Ghalibaf in a statement on X dismissed US threats, cautioning Washington to “be careful”. He vowed that Tehran stood “ready to respond”. ‘Peace requires give and take’ Addressing the opening ceremony ahead of the closed-door talks, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif hoped for an outcome that would ensure peace, progress and prosperity globally. PM Shehbaz said he was looking forward to productive talks, and expressed satisfaction that the joint efforts of everyone in involved in the peace process had culminated in the meet 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. He thanked US President Trump and VP JD Vance for their leadership, and praised Chief of Defence Forces (CDF) Field Marshal Asim Munir for his consistent efforts, perseverence and patience during the mediation process. US Vice President JD Vance told the press that “peace requires give and take”. “This is a historic meet. Never before have Iranian and American leadership met at such a high level outside of Islamabad,” he said. “What today really represents is the beginning of a technical negotiation that’s not going to solve every disagreement, but is going to allow us to sit together as teams, for the first time really in history, to figure out what matters most to the respective parties, to settle those issues, to solve those issues, and get to a better tomorrow,” he told reporters. “The reason why the political leadership of the respective countries is here is because we wanted to, first of all, set up the structure for these technical negotiations, and second of all, make sure that our teams have our full support and know they can always call on us to break through any barriers.” Thanking US President Donald Trump “for empowering us to find a diplomatic solution”, Vance said a great deal had “already been accomplished” and the team looked forward to seeing “how much more we can accomplish together”. “Can we change relations in the Middle East, or do we go back to doing things the old way?” he said. “Where Iran and the Gulf have had an unfriendly relationship, or Iran has been a driver of regional instability? We see a future where everyone can work together to promote peace and prosperity for everyone.” Vance said Trump is committed to a “full regional ceasefire”, including Lebanon. These kinds of ceasefires are always “a little bit messy”, but they had seen progress over the last few days, he added. Vance also shared appreciation for PM Shehbaz and CDF Munir, saying: “I have joked that I have two very, very important people in my life. An Indian and a Pakistani. The Indian is my wife, and the Pakistani is Field Marshal Munir,” he said, adding that he had “probably talked to Field Marshal 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,” he said. The president, he said, had urged him to “turn over a new leaf to transform our relationship with the people of Iran, and to extend an outstretched hand”. Qatari Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani also speaking at the opening ceremony, thanked both the US and Iranian delegations for their efforts to make peace in the Middle East. “I think that everyone 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,” the Qatari PM said. “I would like to thank all of you for your leadership and determination that put us in this room. This is not really the main celebration, this is just the beginning and I wish everyone all the best,” Al Thani said. He added that Qatar would remain dedicated to the partnership to support mediation efforts until a solution is reached. Before the start of their remarks, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi briefly walked into the room and embraced PM Shehbaz, the White House Press Pool Reports said in a statement released on X. “He was there just a short time before walking out again and did not during that time interact with Vance, who was on the other side of the room,” it added. The media were ushered out of the meeting room as the talks began. Technical groups to help negotiate MoU clauses: Qatar The ‘technical-level’ talks today seek to iron out the details of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed between Tehran and Washington to cease hostilities and negotiate a framework to end the war. Under the agreement, the US and Iran have agreed on a framework to end the war, lift the US blockade of Iran and reopen the Strait of Hormuz. Also on the table will be discussions about the unfreezing of Iranian assets and sale of Iranian oil. In a statement, the Qatari foreign ministry announced “the launch of the Lucerne Lake Summit and the first high-level committee meeting” between the four sides, which it hoped would “lead to reaching a comprehensive and permanent agreement that addresses all aspects covered by the Memorandum of Understanding.” The Qatari foreign ministry spokesman Dr Majed bin Mohammed Al-Ansari stated that “technical and specialised groups have been formed to negotiate the final agreement’s clauses, which will cover all aspects of the Memorandum of Understanding.” “Additionally, follow-up groups have been established to oversee the implementation of the memorandum and track the progress achieved toward reaching the final agreement, reflecting the commitment of all parties to proceed in the negotiation process in good faith and with the goal of reaching a comprehensive and sustainable agreement.” He emphasized that the State of Qatar, as one of the mediating countries, will continue to work with the Islamic Republic of Pakistan and all concerned parties to create a positive environment that enables the negotiations to achieve their goals, based on its firm belief that dialogue and diplomacy represent the optimal path for conflict resolution and dispute settlement. The Qatari foreign ministry spokesperson also appreciated the “important role” played by Pakistan as a partner and mediator, praising Islamabad’s “documented and continuous efforts in supporting the negotiation process”. He also expressed appreciation for Washington and Tehran’s commitment to finding a diplomatic solution, and for the support provided by Saudi Arabia, Turkey, Egypt and the United Arab Emirates, as well as other friendly countries that “contributed to creating favorable conditions to push this process forward.” Delegations meet ahead of talks The quadrilateral meeting follows bilateral and tripartite meetings between the different parties participating in the talks. Iranian state television said that delegations from Iran, Qatar and the US were holding a meeting to discuss a ceasefire in Lebanon and Iran’s frozen assets. “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 in a report. The Foreign Office (FO) said that Pakistan would hold bilateral interactions with the participating delegations from Iran, Qatar, Switzerland and the US, to “reaffirm Pakistan’s enduring commitment to dialogue and durable peace in the region”. Ahead of the quadrilateral meeting, PM Shehbaz and CDF Munir met the US negotiating team, led by VP Vance. The Pakistani delegation also met the Iranian delegation led by Ghalibaf. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi and Information Minister Attaullah Tarar were also part of the meeting. Delegations from the US, Iran, Qatar, and Pakistan had arrived at the venue on Sunday morning amid tight security and heavy media presence. A senior official of the Prime Minister’s Office told Dawn it is not yet confirmed if the Pakistani delegation will return today, the source added. State broadcaster PTV, which is reporting live from Burgenstock, said that technical-level talks between the US and Iranian delegations could “extend into tomorrow” and that there was no formal timeframe announced yet, and that the discussions would continue for “as long as necessary”. However, Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmail Baghaei, speaking to IRNA, said that a one-day session was planned, which is expected to feature bilateral meetings with mediators Pakistan and Qatar in the morning, followed by quadrilateral talks in the afternoon. Pakistani delegation arrives The Prime Minister’s Office said PM Shehbaz and his delegation arrived in Zurich earlier on Sunday morning to participate in the talks, after which they travelled to Burgenstock, the venue for the hotly anticipated talks. State broadcaster PTV reported that the premier was accompanied by Information Minister Ataullah Tarar and other senior government officials. State media also confirmed the arrival of CDF Munir and Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi at the Burgenstock resort. US, Iran teams arrive US Vice President JD Vance and Iran’s Parliament Speaker and head negotiator of the Iranian side Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf also arrived for the talks on implementing the deal. Vance arrived at Emmen Air Base at 5:59am (08:59 PKT), according to his spokesperson. He had taken off for Switzerland on Saturday, saying negotiators would discuss 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. Those are the two big things that I think we’re to be focused on,” Vance told reporters before departing from Joint Base Andrews, saying he could only join the talks “for a day or two”. Vance said the situation in Lebanon was “actually getting better”. “It’s going to be something we’re just going to have to continuously manage to ensure that… Israel and Lebanon are both safe and secure,” he said. “The big problem is that you have somebody will shoot and then somebody will respond, and you kind of have a chicken and egg problem where you’ve just got to stop the shooting for long enough to get the ceasefire to keep hold.” US negotiators Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff were already in Switzerland handling technical elements of the talks, Vance said earlier. Iran’s delegation, which landed in Switzerland in the early hours of Sunday, arrived at Burgenstock for the talks by early afternoon. Iran’s official news agency IRNA said the delegation was led by Ghalibaf and included Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi. Ali Bagheri (Deputy for International Affairs of the Supreme National Security Council Secretariat), Central Bank Governor Abdolnaser Hemmati, National Iranian Oil Company CEO Hamid Bovard, Deputy FM Kazem Gharibabad and Esmail Baqaei were also part of the team. PM Shehbaz, CDF Munir depart for talks In a statement issued in the morning, the FO said PM Shehbaz, accompanied by CDF Munir, left for Bürgenstock to participate in “high-level talks on the implementation of the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding (MoU)”. In its statement, the FO noted that the talks marked the first formal engagement between the US and Iran since the signing of the Islamabad MoU on June 17. It confirmed that high-level delegations from the US, Iran and Qatar will be part of the talks. “Pakistan will continue to support and advance the implementation of the understandings reached between the Islamic Republic of Iran and the US,” the FO affirmed. “Pakistan’s facilitative role underscores its principled, balanced, and constructive approach throughout the crisis, including hosting earlier rounds of US-Iran talks and sustained diplomatic contacts that culminated in the Islamabad MoU.” FO announces talks in Switzerland Earlier on Saturday, the FO announced that technical-level talks will be held in Buergenstock, Switzerland, on Sunday. “Representatives of the United States and Iran, along with mediators from Pakistan and Qatar, will participate in the discussions,” the FO said. “Pakistan will continue to facilitate the process in its role as mediator, with a view to advancing the understandings reached under the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding.” Speaking to Fox News, JD Vance said negotiations with Iran “are going well”, but that the US “has all the cards”. Meanwhile, foreign ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baqaei announced that Iran will be sending a delegation to Switzerland, according to remarks carried by the Fars news agency. “In Switzerland, we intend to press for the fulfilment of the other side’s commitments and clarify how they plan to act on their obligations,” Baghaei was quoted as saying, emphasising that Iran adhered to its side of the agreement, and the United States is “obligated to compel the Zionist regime (Israel) to cease its attacks on Lebanon”. “If part of the counterpart’s commitments is not implemented, the entirety of the agreement will be jeopardised,” the spokesperson was quoted as saying. “The counterpart must take the necessary measures as soon as possible; otherwise, the agreement will be jeopardised,” he added. US-Iran deal The 14-point agreement was signed by US President Donald Trump and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, with PM Shehbaz signing as mediator. Under the deal, Tehran and Washington have agreed on a framework to end the war, reopening of the Strait of Hormuz and a 60-day timeline for further talks. The deal, ending more than 100 days of war, has been widely welcomed by the international community. Once a final agreement is reached on Iran’s nuclear ambitions, the US will also facilitate the release of a $300 billion reconstruction fund supported by regional nations, the deal says. More to follow.
Burgenstock'ta ABD-İran Barışı İçin 60 Günlük Yol Haritası'Peace requires give and take': US-Iran talks underway in Burgenstock with mediators Pakistan, Qatar
As quadripartite negotiations between the United States and Iran kicked off in Burgenstock, Switzerland, with Qatar and Pakistan participating in a mediatory role, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif hoped for an outcome that would ensure peace, progress and prosperity globally. Addressing the opening ceremony ahead of the closed-door talks, PM Shehbaz said he was looking forward to productive talks, and expressed satisfaction that the joint efforts of everyone in involved in the peace process had culminated in the meet 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. He thanked US President Donald Trump and VP JD Vance for their leadership, and praised Chief of Defence Forces (CDF) Field Marshal Asim Munir for his consistent efforts, perseverence and patience during the mediation process. US Vice President JD Vance told the press that “peace requires give and take”. “This is a historic meet. Never before have Iranian and American leadership met at such a high level outside of Islamabad,” he said. “What today really represents is the beginning of a technical negotiation that’s not going to solve every disagreement, but is going to allow us to sit together as teams, for the first time really in history, to figure out what matters most to the respective parties, to settle those issues, to solve those issues, and get to a better tomorrow,” he told reporters. “The reason why the political leadership of the respective countries is here is because we wanted to, first of all, set up the structure for these technical negotiations, and second of all, make sure that our teams have our full support and know they can always call on us to break through any barriers.” Thanking US President Donald Trump “for empowering us to find a diplomatic solution”, Vance said a great deal had “already been accomplished” and the team looked forward to seeing “how much more we can accomplish together”. “Can we change relations in the Middle East, or do we go back to doing things the old way?” he said. “Where Iran and the Gulf have had an unfriendly relationship, or Iran has been a driver of regional instability? We see a future where everyone can work together to promote peace and prosperity for everyone.” Vance said Trump is committed to a “full regional ceasefire”, including Lebanon. These kinds of ceasefires are always “a little bit messy”, but they had seen progress over the last few days, he added. Vance also shared appreciation for PM Shehbaz and CDF Munir, saying: “I have joked that I have two very, very important people in my life. An Indian and a Pakistani. The Indian is my wife, and the Pakistani is Field Marshal Munir,” he said, adding that he had “probably talked to Field Marshal 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,” he said. The president, he said, had urged him to “turn over a new leaf to transform our relationship with the people of Iran, and to extend an outstretched hand”. Qatari Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani also speaking at the opening ceremony, thanked both the US and Iranian delegations for their efforts to make peace in the Middle East. “I think that everyone 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,” the Qatari PM said. “I would like to thank all of you for your leadership and determination that put us in this room. This is not really the main celebration, this is just the beginning and I wish everyone all the best,” Al Thani said. He added that Qatar would remain dedicated to the partnership to support mediation efforts until a solution is reached. Before the start of their remarks, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi briefly walked into the room and embraced PM Shehbaz, the White House Press Pool Reports said in a statement released on X. “He was there just a short time before walking out again and did not during that time interact with Vance, who was on the other side of the room,” it added. Technical groups to help negotiate MoU clauses: Qatar The ‘technical-level’ talks today seek to iron out the details of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed between Tehran and Washington to cease hostilities and negotiate a framework to end the war. Under the agreement, the US and Iran have agreed on a framework to end the war, lift the US blockade of Iran and reopen the Strait of Hormuz. Also on the table will be discussions about the unfreezing of Iranian assets and sale of Iranian oil. In a statement, the Qatari foreign ministry announced “the launch of the Lucerne Lake Summit and the first high-level committee meeting” between the four sides, which it hoped would “lead to reaching a comprehensive and permanent agreement that addresses all aspects covered by the Memorandum of Understanding.” The Qatari foreign ministry spokesman Dr Majed bin Mohammed Al-Ansari stated that “technical and specialised groups have been formed to negotiate the final agreement’s clauses, which will cover all aspects of the Memorandum of Understanding.” “Additionally, follow-up groups have been established to oversee the implementation of the memorandum and track the progress achieved toward reaching the final agreement, reflecting the commitment of all parties to proceed in the negotiation process in good faith and with the goal of reaching a comprehensive and sustainable agreement.” He emphasized that the State of Qatar, as one of the mediating countries, will continue to work with the Islamic Republic of Pakistan and all concerned parties to create a positive environment that enables the negotiations to achieve their goals, based on its firm belief that dialogue and diplomacy represent the optimal path for conflict resolution and dispute settlement. The Qatari foreign ministry spokesperson also appreciated the “important role” played by Pakistan as a partner and mediator, praising Islamabad’s “documented and continuous efforts in supporting the negotiation process”. He also expressed appreciation for Washington and Tehran’s commitment to finding a diplomatic solution, and for the support provided by Saudi Arabia, Turkey, Egypt and the United Arab Emirates, as well as other friendly countries that “contributed to creating favorable conditions to push this process forward.” Delegations meet ahead of talks The quadrilateral meeting follows bilateral and tripartite meetings between the different parties participating in the talks. Iranian state television said that delegations from Iran, Qatar and the US were holding a meeting to discuss a ceasefire in Lebanon and Iran’s frozen assets. “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 in a report. The Foreign Office (FO) said that Pakistan would hold bilateral interactions with the participating delegations from Iran, Qatar, Switzerland and the US, to “reaffirm Pakistan’s enduring commitment to dialogue and durable peace in the region”. Ahead of the quadrilateral meeting, PM Shehbaz and CDF Munir met the US negotiating team, led by VP Vance. The Pakistani delegation also met the Iranian delegation led by Parliamentary Speaker Bagher Ghalibaf. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi and Information Minister Attaullah Tarar were also part of the meeting. Delegations from the US, Iran, Qatar, and Pakistan had arrived at the venue on Sunday morning amid tight security and heavy media presence. A senior official of the Prime Minister’s Office told Dawn it is not yet confirmed if the Pakistani delegation will return today, the source added. State broadcaster PTV, which is reporting live from Burgenstock, said that technical-level talks between the US and Iranian delegations could “extend into tomorrow” and that there was no formal timeframe announced yet, and that the discussions would continue for “as long as necessary”. However, Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmail Baghaei, speaking to IRNA, said that a one-day session was planned, which is expected to feature bilateral meetings with mediators Pakistan and Qatar in the morning, followed by quadrilateral talks in the afternoon. Pakistani delegation arrives The Prime Minister’s Office said PM Shehbaz and his delegation arrived in Zurich earlier on Sunday morning to participate in the talks, after which they travelled to Burgenstock, the venue for the hotly anticipated talks. State broadcaster PTV reported that the premier was accompanied by Information Minister Ataullah Tarar and other senior government officials. State media also confirmed the arrival of CDF Munir and Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi at the Burgenstock resort. US, Iran teams arrive US Vice President JD Vance and Iran’s Parliament Speaker and head negotiator of the Iranian side Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf also arrived for the talks on implementing the deal. Vance arrived at Emmen Air Base at 5:59am (08:59 PKT), according to his spokesperson. He had taken off for Switzerland on Saturday, saying negotiators would discuss 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. Those are the two big things that I think we’re to be focused on,” Vance told reporters before departing from Joint Base Andrews, saying he could only join the talks “for a day or two”. Vance said the situation in Lebanon was “actually getting better”. “It’s going to be something we’re just going to have to continuously manage to ensure that… Israel and Lebanon are both safe and secure,” he said. “The big problem is that you have somebody will shoot and then somebody will respond, and you kind of have a chicken and egg problem where you’ve just got to stop the shooting for long enough to get the ceasefire to keep hold.” US negotiators Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff were already in Switzerland handling technical elements of the talks, Vance said earlier. Iran’s delegation, which landed in Switzerland in the early hours of Sunday, arrived at Burgenstock for the talks by early afternoon. Iran’s official news agency IRNA said the delegation was led by Ghalibaf and included Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi. Ali Bagheri (Deputy for International Affairs of the Supreme National Security Council Secretariat), Central Bank Governor Abdolnaser Hemmati, National Iranian Oil Company CEO Hamid Bovard, Deputy FM Kazem Gharibabad and Esmail Baqaei were also part of the team. PM Shehbaz, CDF Munir depart for talks In a statement issued in the morning, the FO said PM Shehbaz, accompanied by CDF Munir, left for Bürgenstock to participate in “high-level talks on the implementation of the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding (MoU)”. In its statement, the FO noted that the talks marked the first formal engagement between the US and Iran since the signing of the Islamabad MoU on June 17. It confirmed that high-level delegations from the US, Iran and Qatar will be part of the talks. “Pakistan will continue to support and advance the implementation of the understandings reached between the Islamic Republic of Iran and the US,” the FO affirmed. “Pakistan’s facilitative role underscores its principled, balanced, and constructive approach throughout the crisis, including hosting earlier rounds of US-Iran talks and sustained diplomatic contacts that culminated in the Islamabad MoU.” FO announces talks in Switzerland Earlier on Saturday, the FO announced that technical-level talks will be held in Buergenstock, Switzerland, on Sunday. “Representatives of the United States and Iran, along with mediators from Pakistan and Qatar, will participate in the discussions,” the FO said. “Pakistan will continue to facilitate the process in its role as mediator, with a view to advancing the understandings reached under the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding.” Speaking to Fox News, JD Vance said negotiations with Iran “are going well”, but that the US “has all the cards”. Meanwhile, foreign ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baqaei announced that Iran will be sending a delegation to Switzerland, according to remarks carried by the Fars news agency. “In Switzerland, we intend to press for the fulfilment of the other side’s commitments and clarify how they plan to act on their obligations,” Baghaei was quoted as saying, emphasising that Iran adhered to its side of the agreement, and the United States is “obligated to compel the Zionist regime (Israel) to cease its attacks on Lebanon”. “If part of the counterpart’s commitments is not implemented, the entirety of the agreement will be jeopardised,” the spokesperson was quoted as saying. “The counterpart must take the necessary measures as soon as possible; otherwise, the agreement will be jeopardised,” he added. US-Iran deal The 14-point agreement was signed by US President Donald Trump and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, with PM Shehbaz signing as mediator. Under the deal, Tehran and Washington have agreed on a framework to end the war, reopening of the Strait of Hormuz and a 60-day timeline for further talks. The deal, ending more than 100 days of war, has been widely welcomed by the international community. Once a final agreement is reached on Iran’s nuclear ambitions, the US will also facilitate the release of a $300 billion reconstruction fund supported by regional nations, the deal says. More to follow.
Burgenstock'ta ABD-İran Barışı İçin 60 Günlük Yol HaritasıQatar emir projects $1tn trade partnership with US
During the G7 summit in France, Qatar’s Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani told President Donald Trump that bilateral trade with the United States is expected to surpass $1 trillion. He also voiced optimism over the recent US-Iran agreement, which was mediated by Pakistan and is set to be signed in Switzerland.
Katar Emiri'nden G7 Zirvesi'nde ABD'ye 1 Trilyon Dolarlık Ticaret VurgusuQatari PM urges US, Iran to pursue constructive approach in upcoming talks
Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani also thanked Pakistan and all international actors who contributed to reaching the agreements
Islamabad MoU nears finalisation as US, Iran clash on signing date
• Shehbaz hopes deal will pave way for lasting peace, says Pakistan preparing for ‘electronic signing’ • Trump claims signing scheduled for today; threatens Iran; official says Washington to take part in de-mining • Iran states deal close but rules out signing today; negotiators not going to Islamabad, Geneva soon ISLAMABAD: In what appears to be a historic milestone for Middle East peace, Islamabad is preparing for an electronic signing by the US and Iran on a framework for a peace deal, to be followed by technical-level talks next week, albeit with varying dates for the remote signing as Trump insisted that it would be inked on Sunday while Iranian authorities denied it would be as early. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, in a post on X on Saturday, announced that the agreement was expected to be “finalised in the next 24 hours”. The deal was “closer…than ever before”, he wrote, hoping that the deal would lay a “strong foundation for lasting peace”. Shortly afterwards, US President Donald Trump reposted PM Shehbaz’s tweet, while Iran ruled out the ‘Islamabad MoU’ would be signed on Sunday. However, both warring parties have declared it would be signed within a day or two. In a post on Truth Social, President Trump insisted that the deal was “scheduled to get signed” on Sunday, which would open the Hormuz. According to the US president, no money will exchange hands and that “at the appropriate time, when all is calm, we will go in and get the nuclear dust … and downblend and destroy it, whether in Iran, or the United States”. “We look forward to working with Iran and the entire Middle East, long into the future. Hopefully, this process will all work out quickly, easily, and smoothly. If it doesn’t, we have the ultimate alternative, hopefully never to be used again!” he added. Iran ruled out signing the deal on Sunday, but said it was close. The exact timing of the signing of the Islamabad memorandum will not be on Sunday, Iran’s foreign ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei said. Mr Baghaei added that the possibility of signing the memorandum in the coming days cannot be ruled out, but added that caution was needed regarding any comment on the signing date due to the hesitation of the other side. “We must wait for the exact time of the signing,” he added. The Iranian spokesperson also said that they would not be travelling to Geneva or Islamabad – the possible venues — in the “next day or two” to sign an agreement. Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said that the country’s 12-day war against Israel last year “proved that, beyond any taste or perspective, whenever our dear Iran is at stake, we are one nation, one clenched fist, and one beating heart”. De-mining of Hormuz Reuters quoted a senior US official saying that the US would participate in the de-mining of the Strait of Hormuz once the accord was sealed. Iranian parliament speaker Bagher Ghalibaf stressed that “enforceable commitments” must accompany any possible understanding between Tehran and Washington, the semi-official Tasnim news agency reported. As both sides gave final touches to a peace agreement, violence in the Strait of Hormuz continued. The US forces shot down multiple Iranian one-way attack drones heading toward the Strait of Hormuz, Reuters reported. Centcom later confirmed the action and said the waterway was open for transit. According to Iranian news agencies, explosions were heard along the strait in Iran’s Sirik port and Qeshm Island, which local officials attributed to shots fired by Iranian forces to warn vessels attempting to cross the waterway without permission from the IRGC navy. A day earlier, Mr Araghchi said Iran would not impose tolls on Hormuz but would collect service fees, saying that this would be discussed. A tanker had been struck by an unknown projectile in its port bow off the coast of Oman, Reuters reports citing the UK Maritime Trade Operations Centre. UKMTO says the incident occurred on Friday, six nautical miles east of Oman. The crew are reported safe and there is no reported environmental impact, while the tanker continues to its next port of call. On Saturday, PM Shehbaz received a call from Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani, who has paid tribute to the premier and Chief of Army Staff Field Marshal Asim Munir for playing an instrumental role in steering the diplomatic efforts, according to a statement from the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO). “The prime minister expressed his deep appreciation for Qatar’s strong and steadfast support for Pakistan’s peace efforts throughout the Gulf crisis and stated that a peace deal was ready for signatures by the relevant parties very shortly,” it said. Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar and his Saudi counterpart, Prince Faisal bin Farhan, also welcomed the final stage of negotiations between the US and Iran, according to a Foreign Office statement. “They welcomed the US-Iran negotiations in their final stage, with the electronic signing ceremony scheduled for tomorrow, and expressed the hope that this important development will contribute to lasting peace and stability in the region,” the FO said. Published in Dawn, June 14th, 2026
ABD-İran Mutabakatı İçin 14 Haziran'da Cenevre'de İmza İddiası