ISLAMABAD: Pakistan is expected to host the next round of technical negotiations between the United States and Iran, with Islamabad emerging as the preferred venue as diplomatic efforts to consolidate a regional peace framework continue, diplomatic sources said.
The talks are expected to focus on Iran’s nuclear programme, sanctions relief and Iranian assets frozen abroad, while also addressing regional security issues, including stability in the Strait of Hormuz and the preservation of the ceasefire in Lebanon.
“There are two possible venues for the technical talks — Islamabad and the Burgenstock resort in Switzerland,” a diplomatic source told Dawn. “Islamabad, however, is the more likely option.”
Although July 11 has been proposed for the meeting, a final decision on the venue has yet to be announced.
Building on the Islamabad Memorandum
The negotiations are intended to advance the framework established under the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), signed in June, which provided both sides with a 60-day roadmap to negotiate a comprehensive agreement covering Iran’s nuclear programme and related issues.
The next round was delayed because of the state funeral ceremonies for Iran’s late Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Iranian officials are expected to announce the composition of Tehran’s delegation once the ceremonies conclude.
Diplomatic Momentum Continues
The planned meeting follows indirect technical discussions held in Doha earlier this week.
US President Donald Trump described those talks as “very good”, while Iranian officials said the two sides had reached an understanding on the partial release of billions of dollars in frozen Iranian assets. US officials, however, disputed that any agreement on the issue had been reached.
Diplomatic sources said Pakistani and Qatari mediators remained engaged during the pause in negotiations, facilitating indirect contacts between the two sides and focusing on freedom of navigation through the Strait of Hormuz and maintaining the 60-day ceasefire agreed during previous negotiations.
Roadmap for Broader Agreement
The latest high-level negotiations were held at the Burgenstock resort in Switzerland under the joint mediation of Pakistan and Qatar.
Those talks produced what negotiators described as a roadmap for a broader agreement encompassing Iran’s nuclear programme, sanctions relief, maritime security and wider regional de-escalation.
According to diplomatic sources, negotiators held lengthy discussions on nuclear restrictions, sanctions relief, security in the Strait of Hormuz and the Lebanon ceasefire. While both sides reported progress, they acknowledged that the process remained fragile amid persistent tensions between Washington and Tehran.
Diplomatic sources said the outcome of the technical talks would help shape subsequent rounds of negotiations as Washington and Tehran continue efforts to reach a broader agreement on Iran’s nuclear programme, sanctions relief and regional security.
