US-Iran peace memorandum set for signing in Switzerland on Friday

-- Swiss authorities confirm Bürgenstock as venue for historic signing

-- Trump says agreement explicitly bars Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons

-- US President urges greater Israeli restraint in Lebanon

-- Qatar praises Pakistani mediation, sees path to regional stability

ISLAMABAD/GENEVA: A memorandum of understanding (MoU) between the United States and Iran is scheduled to be formally signed on Friday at the Bürgenstock resort in central Switzerland, with Swiss authorities confirming preparations for the landmark event amid growing international optimism over prospects for regional peace and stability.

The Swiss Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA) said it had been coordinating closely with the United States, Iran, Pakistan and Qatar regarding arrangements for the signing ceremony.

“At this stage, the signing is scheduled for Friday, June 19, at Bürgenstock in the canton of Nidwalden,” FDFA spokesperson Pierre-Alain Eltschinger confirmed.

According to Swiss officials, the venue was jointly proposed by Pakistani and Qatari mediators, as well as by Washington and Tehran.

The Swiss government said it was acting as a facilitator by providing the practical and diplomatic conditions necessary for the meeting to take place on Swiss territory. However, officials declined to provide details regarding the contents of the memorandum or the signing process.

Meanwhile, US President Donald Trump said the agreement clearly stipulates that Iran will not be allowed to possess nuclear weapons.

Speaking to reporters on the sidelines of the G7 Summit in France, Trump said he intended to release the full text of the memorandum in a formal setting after the signing ceremony.

“The only thing that really matters to me is Iran will never have a nuclear weapon, and it says it loud and clear,” Trump said.

He also indicated that he was open to submitting the agreement to the US Congress for review, following calls from some Republican lawmakers.

“I like the idea. I will send it to Congress,” he told reporters.

Trump described the current accord as a framework agreement under which both sides would negotiate remaining details over the coming weeks. He expressed confidence that the next phase of negotiations would progress rapidly.

“Iran wants to get it done. They have to get back to business, and the relationship is now normalised,” he said during a meeting with United Arab Emirates President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan.

The US president also addressed concerns regarding regional security and Israel’s role in the evolving diplomatic landscape.

Speaking during a separate meeting with Qatar’s Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, Trump said Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu needed to be “more responsible” regarding developments in Lebanon.

He revealed that he had conveyed his concerns to Israeli leaders following recent military actions in Beirut and suggested that regional security challenges involving Hezbollah should increasingly be addressed through political and state mechanisms.

Despite differences over Lebanon, Trump dismissed suggestions of tensions with Netanyahu, stating that the two leaders continued to enjoy a strong relationship.

When asked whether the US-Iran agreement could survive even if Israel launched new military operations in Lebanon, Trump replied: “It can.”

He reiterated that preventing Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons remained the central objective of the agreement and warned that any violation would trigger severe consequences.

Commenting on broader regional dynamics, Trump said he did not support regime-change policies, arguing that such approaches had historically failed to deliver stability.

Qatar, which has played an active role in supporting diplomatic efforts, welcomed the agreement and expressed hope that it would contribute to lasting peace across the Middle East.

Addressing the G7 Summit, Emir Sheikh Tamim thanked President Trump for his leadership and described the accord as an important step toward regional stability.

“This is a very important deal. There is still a lot of work to be done, but if we continue with this momentum, we can achieve great things in the region,” he said.

Qatar’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson Majed Al-Ansari also praised Pakistan’s role in facilitating negotiations between Washington and Tehran.

“We are supporting the Pakistani-led mediation and working in support of the efforts of our brothers in Pakistan,” he said during a press conference in Doha.

Al-Ansari described Pakistan as the principal mediator in the process and commended its diplomatic efforts in helping bring the parties closer to an agreement.

He expressed hope that the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz following the agreement would enable Qatar to resume uninterrupted liquefied natural gas (LNG) exports to global markets.

The spokesperson said discussions between the United States and Iran were now focusing on several sensitive issues, including regional security arrangements, non-aggression commitments, non-state armed groups, missile programmes and nuclear-related matters.

“These issues will not be resolved in mere days, but we are moving in the right direction toward regional security,” Al-Ansari said.

He added that Qatar would continue supporting efforts aimed at preventing renewed escalation and ensuring long-term stability throughout the region.

The signing ceremony in Switzerland is expected to mark a major milestone in efforts to end months of conflict and lay the groundwork for broader negotiations on security, economic cooperation and regional peace.