Shehbaz Sharif, Asim Munir join US-Iran peace talks in Switzerland

Shehbaz Sharif arrived in Switzerland with Army chief Asim Munir for US-Iran talks on implementing the Islamabad MoU. Pakistan's role as guarantor and mediator places it at the centre of efforts to ease West Asia tensions.

In Short

• Technical discussions will focus on implementing the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding
• Qatar and Pakistan are expected to mediate between Washington and Tehran
• Negotiations were delayed after fresh Israel-Lebanon firing complicated the regional situation

Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif arrived in Switzerland on Sunday with Army chief Asim Munir and a delegation to take part in US-Iran talks aimed at restoring peace in West Asia, according to an official statement from Islamabad. The technical-level talks are scheduled to be held in the Brgenstock Alpine ridges on Sunday, the Prime Minister's Office said.

The visit comes as delegations from the US and Iran have also reached Switzerland for the next phase of discussions under a Memorandum of Understanding signed last week by US President Donald Trump and Iran President Masoud Pezeshkian. Pakistan, which signed the MoU as a guarantor, and Qatar are expected to take part in the talks as mediators.

In a statement on X, the Prime Minister's Office said, "The Prime Minister and COAS & CDF Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir will participate in the High-Level Talks on the implementation of the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding." Earlier in the day, US Vice President JD Vance landed in Switzerland for the talks, while negotiators Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner were already there.

An Iranian delegation has also reached Switzerland. According to Iranian state TV, Tehran's team includes parliamentary speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf and Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, along with central bank and oil officials. The MoU signed last week marked the start of a 60-day negotiation window to resolve sticking points and restore peace in West Asia.

The technical discussions were due to begin on Friday, but were delayed, mainly because of fresh rounds of firing between Israel and Lebanon. On Sunday, Pakistan's Foreign Office said Sharif is also expected to hold bilateral meetings on the sidelines with delegations from Iran, Qatar, Switzerland and the US to reaffirm Islamabad's commitment to dialogue and durable peace in the region.

The Foreign Office said, "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 Memorandum of Understanding." It also said the signing of the MoU led to the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, a waterway through which roughly one-fifth of the world's energy supplies pass in normal times and which had been blocked since February 28 after joint US and Israeli attacks on Iran triggered retaliatory strikes. However, Iran said on Saturday that it had closed the waterway again, citing an Israeli attack in Lebanon, while the US said it remained open.

Sharif's visit to Switzerland brings Pakistan into the latest round of US-Iran engagement as a guarantor and mediator, with the talks focusing on implementing the MoU, easing regional tensions and addressing developments linked to the Strait of Hormuz and the wider West Asia crisis.

With PTI Inputs

- Ends