WASHINGTON: US Vice President JD Vance was on his way to Switzerland for Pakistan-mediated talks between the United States and Iran on Sunday, days after Washington and Tehran signed the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to end the war and reopen the Strait of Hormuz.
“Despite the headlines, things are actually getting better there (in Lebanon), and things are slowing down a little bit,” Vance told reporters before leaving for Switzerland.
“It’s going to be something we’re just going to have to continuously manage to ensure that you know Israel and Lebanon are both safe and secure.”
Earlier, Vance said US negotiators Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff were already in Switzerland, handling “some of the technical elements” of the talks, and had reported that “things are going well.”
Meanwhile, Iran’s state media reported that the Iranian negotiating team left Iran for Switzerland on Saturday for Pakistan-mediated talks on the implementation of the Islamabad MoU.
The official news agency IRNA reported the delegation’s departure, quoting foreign ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baqaei as saying they would “follow up and demand implementation of the other party’s commitments” under the deal.
“The other side must take the necessary measures as soon as possible. Otherwise, the entire understanding will be in trouble,” he said.
Iran’s state broadcaster said the delegation heading to Switzerland included top negotiator Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf and Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, among others.
Pakistan PM Sharif, Field Marshal Munir depart for Switzerland
Meanwhile, Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Chief of Defence Forces (CDF) and Chief of Army Staff (COAS) Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir departed for Switzerland to attend technical-level talks between the US and Iran in Bürgenstock.
According to the Prime Minister’s Office, both leaders will participate in the discussions scheduled for June 21, to be held as a follow-up to the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) previously signed between Tehran and Washington.
The statement further said that Prime Minister Sharif is accompanied by a high-level delegation during the visit to Switzerland.
As a follow-up to the signing of Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding, technical-level talks will be held in Bürgenstock, Switzerland, on 21 June 2026.
Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif and COAS & CDF Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir will participate in these talks.
The… pic.twitter.com/GTkR9hDFnz
— Prime Minister’s Office (@PakPMO) June 20, 2026
US-Iran technical talks on Sunday
Prior to their departure, Pakistan’s Foreign Office, in a statement, said on Saturday that technical-level talks between the US and Iran under the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding will be held on Sunday in Burgenstock, Switzerland.
“Representatives of the United States and Iran, along with mediators from Pakistan and Qatar, will participate in the discussions,” Pakistan’s Foreign Office said in a statement.
Pakistan will continue to “facilitate the process in its role as mediator” to advance the understandings reached between Tehran and Washington under the Islamabad memorandum of understanding, the Foreign Office said.
🔊PR No.1️⃣4️⃣8️⃣/2️⃣0️⃣2️⃣6️⃣
Technical-Level Talks Under the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding
🔗⬇️ pic.twitter.com/9FbJ4WB1Bp
— Ministry of Foreign Affairs – Pakistan (@ForeignOfficePk) June 20, 2026
The Foreign Office statement comes days after the United States and Iran electronically signed the Islamabad MoU aimed at ending the conflict in the Middle East and reopening the Strait of Hormuz.
US President Donald Trump announced the signing on June 15, saying the agreement included provisions on the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz and the lifting of the US blockade on Iranian ports.
Trump and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian signed the agreement on behalf of their respective countries, while Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif later signed the Islamabad MoU as mediator, formally sealing the deal.
Pakistan’s Interior Minister arrives in Tehran
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.
Naqvi on Saturday held talks with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian in Tehran and discussed progress on the implementation of the Islamabad MoU between the US and Iran, Iran’s ISNA news agency reported.
During the meeting, both sides reviewed the latest developments in the US-Iran negotiations and discussed regional stability after Washington and Tehran signed the Islamabad MoU earlier this week to end the conflict.
Earlier, Naqvi met Araghchi and discussed the regional situation following the signing of the Islamabad MoU, which was signed 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.
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.
The visit comes at a critical stage in the emerging diplomatic process, as Tehran and Washington prepare for technical negotiations.
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.
