GENEVA, Switzerland: Switzerland confirmed on Saturday that negotiations on implementing the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding between the United States and Iran were set to begin at the Burgenstock resort, as diplomatic efforts intensified to permanently end the Middle East conflict.
The Swiss Federal Department of Foreign Affairs said in a statement that Switzerland continued to provide a “discreet and reliable setting” at Burgenstock to facilitate the talks, Reuters reported.
The ministry, according to Reuters, declined to disclose the identities of participants or details of the discussions, citing confidentiality.
The confirmation came as senior US officials travelled to Switzerland ahead of a new round of negotiations with Iran.
According to Axios, White House envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner were in Switzerland, where an initial round of talks on a potential nuclear agreement was expected to take place.
Axios, citing a US official, reported that the discussions had originally been scheduled to begin on Friday but were postponed following Israeli attacks on Lebanon.
Vice President Vance was expected to lead the US delegation, but postponed his trip at the last minute on Thursday night.
JD Vance said in an interview with Fox News on Saturday that the talks with Iran “are going well” and the negotiations could start on Sunday in Switzerland.
“I expect that I will leave sometime in the next couple of days, but it’s always a delicate coordination dance and the diplomatic protocols,” Vance said.
US officials quoted by Axios expressed hope that a renewed ceasefire in Lebanon, announced on Friday, would allow the negotiations to proceed.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi had been planning to travel to Switzerland on Saturday, according to Axios, which cited a source familiar with the matter. However, the report said renewed escalation in Lebanon could affect those plans.
Meanwhile, Pakistan’s Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi arrived in Tehran on Saturday for talks with Araghchi and other Iranian leaders as part of diplomatic efforts to help sustain diplomatic momentum and support ongoing negotiations.
Qatari Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani also arrived in Switzerland on Friday, according to Axios.
Pakistan’s Interior Minister arrives in Tehran
Pakistan’s Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi met Araghchi in Tehran on Saturday and discussed the regional situation following the signing of the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the United States and Iran earlier this week.
Iran’s SNN News Agency reported that Araghchi received Naqvi at the Iranian Foreign Ministry shortly after the Pakistani minister arrived in the Iranian capital. Naqvi and Araghchi discussed recent developments in the region and the situation following the agreement between Tehran and Washington.
❗Iran’s FM Araghchi MEETS with Pakistani Interior Minister Naqvi to discuss Iran-US negotiations — SNN pic.twitter.com/egl5HvBYDu
— RT (@RT_com) June 20, 2026
Naqvi arrived in Tehran after a brief stop in the northeastern city of Mashhad, where he visited the holy shrine of Imam Reza (AS) before travelling to the capital for meetings with senior Iranian leaders.
Pakistan's Interior Minister, Syed Mohsin Raza Naqvi, arrived in Mashhad Saturday. Local authorities in Razavi Khorasan told IRNA that he is to visit Imam Reza Holy Shrine and hold political meetings, which will later extend to Tehran. No further information has been released. pic.twitter.com/rnVA3870uu
— IRNA News Agency ☫ (@IrnaEnglish) June 20, 2026
The visit comes at a critical stage in the emerging diplomatic process, as Tehran and Washington prepare for technical negotiations on Iran’s nuclear programme, sanctions relief and mechanisms to verify future commitments.
According to Iranian media reports, Naqvi arrived in Mashhad on the first leg of his two-day official visit and was received at Shahid Hasheminejad International Airport by Khorasan Razavi Governor-General Gholamhossein Mozaffari and Pakistan’s Consul General in Mashhad, Mohammad Shahryar.
The Pakistani minister later visited the shrine of Imam Reza (AS), one of Iran’s holiest religious sites, before meeting Allama Ahmad Marvi, custodian of Astan Imam Reza (AS), Iranian media reported.
After the meetings in Mashhad, Naqvi was scheduled to travel to Tehran to continue his engagements with Iranian leaders.
Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei told ISNA that Naqvi’s visit formed part of Pakistan’s continued efforts to help bridge remaining differences between Tehran and Washington and maintain momentum generated by the recently announced understanding between the two countries.
During his stay in Tehran, Naqvi is expected to hold separate meetings with Iranian Interior Minister Eskandar Momeni and Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi to discuss the next phase of diplomatic engagement, according to Iranian media reports.
This is the tenth visit to Iran by Naqvi and 7th since April this year. During his stay in Tehran, Naqvi will follow up on the progress of the negotiations between Iran and the United States.
Naqvi is also expected to meet top Iranian leadership, including Iran’s Parliament Speaker and the President.
Iranian media also reported that the Pakistani minister is expected to meet other senior Iranian leaders, including parliamentary and government officials.
Pakistan’s mediation role
The visit follows months of Pakistan-led diplomatic efforts to facilitate dialogue between Iran and the United States.
According to Iranian officials cited by ISNA, Islamabad played an important behind-the-scenes role in helping ease tensions between Tehran and Washington, contributing to the diplomatic efforts that culminated in the war-ending memorandum of understanding announced this week.
Diplomatic sources quoted by ISNA described the forthcoming negotiations as particularly sensitive, with both sides expected to address complex political and technical issues before any final and legally binding agreement can be reached.
Pakistan’s latest diplomatic engagement is intended to help prevent setbacks during the negotiations and preserve progress achieved through months of mediation, the report added.
The Islamabad MoU signed on Thursday has opened a new phase in US-Iran engagement, with negotiators now preparing for detailed discussions.
