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June 22, 2026

1st round of US–Iran quadripartite talks ends as mediators push implementation of MoU

The first 80-minute round of US–Iran quadripartite talks in Bürgenstock ended for internal consultations. Qatar and Pakistan mediators push MoU implementation as next meeting timing remains unclear.

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Staff Report and Agencies

June 22, 2026

1st round of US–Iran quadripartite talks ends as mediators push implementation of MoU

  • Qatar and Pakistan mediate opening session in Bürgenstock amid 80-minute round

  • PM Shehbaz calls talks a ‘step toward peace, progress and prosperity’

  • US, Iran, Qatar and Pakistan engage in structured dialogue on MoU rollout

  • JD Vance praises Pakistan’s role and signals progress toward regional ceasefire

  • Iran insists talks focus on implementation, frozen assets and oil provisions

  • Next session timing unclear as delegations hold internal consultations

 BÜRGENSTOCK, SWITZERLAND: The first round of quadripartite talks between Iran and the United States, with Qatar and Pakistan acting as mediators, concluded on Sunday in the Swiss resort town of Bürgenstock, according to Iran’s semi-official Fars News Agency, citing a source familiar with the Iranian negotiating team.

The source said the initial round of Swiss-hosted negotiations had been completed and was suspended after approximately 80 minutes of discussions to allow delegations to hold internal consultations. No timeline was immediately announced for the next session.

Earlier in the day, Qatar announced the formal start of US–Iran negotiations in Switzerland, with Qatari and Pakistani mediators participating in discussions on the implementation of an interim agreement between the two sides.

 

PM SHEHBAZ HOPES FOR ‘PEACE, PROGRESS’ AT QUAD TALKS

Quadripartite negotiations between the United States and Iran began in Bürgenstock with Qatar and Pakistan playing a mediatory role, as Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif expressed hope that the process would deliver “peace, progress and prosperity globally.”

Speaking at the venue of the Quad meeting, the prime minister said the gathering marked “a significant step toward peace, progress and prosperity.”

He expressed gratitude to US President Donald Trump for his leadership and acknowledged the roles of Vice President JD Vance, the Prime Minister of Qatar, and Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir in facilitating the process, while expressing hope for productive outcomes for regional and global stability.

PM Shehbaz said he looked forward to constructive discussions and welcomed the fact that joint diplomatic efforts had culminated in the Bürgenstock meeting.

“Wonderful discussions that we have, here will hopefully lead to a productive meeting at the Quad talks in Bürgenstock, Switzerland,” he said, adding: “When we go back, I hope we will have a good piece of paper in our hands about peace.”

US Vice President JD Vance said President Donald Trump was committed to a “full regional ceasefire”, including Lebanon, noting that such processes were often complex and difficult.

“These kinds of ceasefires are always ‘a little bit messy’, but we have seen progress over the last few days,” he said.

He praised Field Marshal Asim Munir for his role in the peace process, describing him as a key figure in recent diplomatic engagement.

“I have joked that I have two very, very important people in my life. An Indian and a Pakistani. The Indian is my wife and the Pakistani is Field Marshal Munir. And I have probably talked to Field Marshal Munir more than I have talked to anybody else over the last three months.”

Vance further lauded Pakistan’s contribution to the negotiations, thanking PM Shehbaz Sharif and Field Marshal Munir and calling them “my best friends in the region.”

“Had it not been for the role of Asim Munir, we would not be here today,” he said, adding that Pakistan had played a key role in advancing the talks.

He noted that “never before have such high-level talks been held between us and Iran,” and thanked President Trump “for empowering us to find a diplomatic solution.”

Vance said significant progress had already been made and expressed optimism about further breakthroughs.

“We would not be here without his statesmanship,” he said, again praising Field Marshal Munir as both a military leader and a diplomat.

Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani of Qatar also praised PM Shehbaz Sharif and Field Marshal Munir, acknowledging their leadership and role in initiating the process.

He said the progress achieved so far would not have been possible without their efforts, alongside those of other key stakeholders.

Describing the meeting as historic, he said it was significant not only for regional security but also for global peace, expressing confidence that it marked the beginning of a path toward a lasting agreement.

Earlier, Qatar’s Foreign Ministry announced the launch of talks between the United States and Iran in Switzerland, held with the mediation of Qatar and Pakistan, according to Al Jazeera.

The ministry expressed its hope that the meetings would lead to a comprehensive and permanent agreement addressing all aspects covered in the memorandum of understanding.

 

PEZESHKIAN SAYS IRAN–US UNDERSTANDING BENEFITS IRANIAN PEOPLE

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said the provisions of the understanding between Iran and the United States were “largely in the interests of the Iranian people,” adding that negotiations would help Iran access its financial resources and determine how they are utilised.

Speaking at a seminar on monetary and banking policies in Tehran, he said Iran had exported more than 16 million barrels of oil in recent days and described the outcomes of the talks as “very clear.”

“We will be able to access our own resources and make our own decisions regarding them,” he said.

Pezeshkian expressed hope that the $6 billion in Iranian funds held in Qatar would be unfrozen as negotiations progressed, adding that Central Bank Governor Abdolnasser Hemmati was participating in the Switzerland talks to discuss the use of the funds.

He reiterated that Iran would not seek nuclear weapons, saying the position was consistent with long-standing policy and a religious decree.

He also accused Israel of opposing the negotiations and attempting to prolong regional conflict, particularly in Gaza and Lebanon, and urged national unity to prevent internal divisions.

 

IRAN SAYS NEGOTIATIONS ENTERED WITH ‘POWER AND CAUTION’

Hojjatoleslam Abdollah Haji Sadeghi, the main representative of Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, said “negotiation is not the primary option” with the United States, according to Al Jazeera.

“We will enter negotiations with power and caution, but we are not passive,” he said in a post on Telegram.

“Our primary option is the field of jihad, whether on the battlefield or in the streets,” he added, saying Iran was “not worried about the negotiations failing” and did not enter talks “out of desperation or helplessness.”

Iran also said the ongoing conflict involving Israel and Hezbollah in Lebanon would be a key topic in the talks, according to AFP, citing Iran’s IRNA news agency.

“The Zionist regime continues to violate its commitment in Lebanon; this issue will be the main topic of discussion in today’s talks,” the foreign ministry spokesman said.

He added that discussions would also cover Iran’s frozen assets and mechanisms for oil sales.

 

IRAN DETAILS MOU IMPLEMENTATION PRIORITIES

Iran’s Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baqaei said the Islamic Republic was determined to “meticulously and seriously pursue” implementation of the other party’s commitments.

He wrote on X that the Switzerland meeting focused on follow-up to the memorandum of understanding on the termination of the war dated June 18, 2026.

He said paragraph 13 of the MoU makes the start of final negotiations conditional on implementation of key provisions, including paragraphs 1, 4, 5, 10 and 11.

He added that without implementation—particularly paragraph 1 on ending the war on all fronts, including Lebanon—entry into the final negotiation phase would not be possible.

Baqaei said discussions in Switzerland focused especially on paragraph 1, as well as paragraph 10 on Iran’s oil exports and paragraph 11 on frozen Iranian assets.

 

Pezeshkian says $6b in frozen Iranian assets part of US agreement

Iran’s President Masoud Pezeshkian says $6 billion in frozen Iranian funds held in Qatar will be returned as part of a preliminary deal with the United States aimed at ending the war, Al Jazeera reported.

“All provisions of the memorandum of understanding are in our favour, and the achievements of these talks and negotiations will become evident,” Tasnim news agency quoted him as saying.

He said US President Donald Trump, “who had forbidden us from doing many things in his recent speech, declared all of them as the rights of the people and the nation”.

“Our $6 billion in Qatar will be returned,” he added.

Pezeshkian also said Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu would be “the first to be unhappy with the negotiations” in Switzerland.

He added that Washington’s only demand is that Iran not obtain an atomic bomb, referencing Iran’s long-standing religious edict against nuclear weapons, and said, “America said ‘write this down and sign’ — and we signed”.

 

Iran FM Araghchi holds 45-minute meeting with Swiss counterpart

The bilateral meeting between Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi and his Swiss counterpart Ignazio Cassis lasted around 45 minutes at the Bürgenstock Hotel in Switzerland, IRNA news agency reported.

Quadrilateral talks between Iran, the United States, Pakistan and Qatar are expected to begin shortly at another venue within the same premises, it added.

Iranian foreign minister meets Swiss counterpart

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi met Swiss Foreign Minister Ignazio Cassis in their first official engagement in Switzerland, IRNA news agency reported.

 

 

Technical-level talks could extend into tomorrow

“Technical-level talks between US and Iranian delegations could extend into tomorrow,” Pakistan TV reported.

Speaking live from the Bürgenstock Resort in Switzerland, Pakistan TV head Adil Shahzeb said the Pakistani delegation is expected to hold separate bilateral meetings with the US, Iran and Qatari delegations alongside ongoing diplomatic engagements.

“Technical-level talks could extend into tomorrow,” he said, adding that “no formal deadlines or timeframe have been announced for the negotiations”.

According to Adil Shahzeb, “discussions will continue for as long as necessary,” and Pakistan TV will maintain on-the-ground coverage throughout the duration of the talks.

 

Vance arrives in Switzerland for Iran peace talks with Hormuz in spotlight

US Vice President JD Vance arrived in Switzerland on Sunday for peace talks with Iran as both nations seek a durable end to their war while disagreeing over Iran's claims that it had closed the vital Strait of Hormuz.

The US and Iran had agreed to a 60-day ceasefire for the negotiations, but Tehran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps on Saturday declared the Strait of Hormuz shut in response to Israeli strikes in Lebanon, although the US military said commercial vessels kept operating.

Those developments could complicate talks in which both sides want to advance an interim deal brokered by Pakistan and signed on Wednesday by Presidents Donald Trump and Masoud Pezeshkian to end the almost four-month war.

Vance and second lady Usha Vance arrived at Emmen Air Base in Switzerland at 5:59am (0359 GMT), a vice presidential spokesperson said.

 

Iran’s parliament speaker says martyrs are watching his actions

“I consider the innocent children of Minab and all the martyrs of dear Iran to be watching over my every action and behavior at every moment. They see us and expect things of us,” Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf wrote on X.

 

“God forbid that I should ever bring shame to the innocent martyrs and the people of Iran, and that I should join my companions with a clear conscience—companions for whose reunion I eagerly await,” he added.

 

Vance hopes for progress on nuclear issue, Lebanon

"I think we're going to hopefully make progress on the nuclear issue, make progress on the Lebanon ceasefire issue," with a "couple days of talks" likely, Vance told reporters at Joint Base Andrews in Maryland before departing.

Iran's Revolutionary Guards, accusing Israel of "crimes" in Lebanon that violated US commitments to the ceasefire, warned ships ⁠would be at risk if they approached the strait, which carried a fifth of global oil supplies before the US and Israel launched attacks on February 28.

Despite the Lebanon truce, Israeli forces and the Iran-backed militant group Hezbollah attacked each other on Saturday.

US Central Command said 55 merchant ships transited the strait on Saturday, carrying more than 17 million barrels of oil bound for global markets, and vowed that US forces would ensure commercial traffic continued.

Trump said there would be no toll for passage through the strait during the 60-day ceasefire or after, unless the US imposed one should peace talks fail.

In a social media post, he cited the possibility of a toll levied by the United States "for services rendered as the Guardian Angel to the countries of the Middle East" if a peace deal is not completed.

Mohammad Mokhber, an adviser to Iran's supreme leader, Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei, accused the US of failing to implement the first of the Iran deal's 14 points, which include a ceasefire "on all fronts", including Lebanon.

As long as the agreement was only on paper, the flow of Middle East energy would stay halted, he added.

On the other hand, Iranian Oil Minister Mohsen Paknejad said that if Western stakeholders adhere to the spirit of the pact, hundreds of investment opportunities and contract formats stand ready, according to the ministry's news outlet, Shana.

 

Israel vows to defend its forces in Lebanon

The Iranian delegation to the talks in the Swiss mountaintop resort of Buergenstock is led by chief negotiator Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf and includes Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi as well as senior security, central bank and oil officials, Iranian media said.

In addition to Vance, the US negotiating team includes envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, Trump's son-in-law.

Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei said Iran would press for fulfilment of commitments, citing past failures by the other side to honour agreements.

PM Shehbaz and Field Marshal Munir had arrived in Switzerland to participate in this weekend's sessions.

In an interview with Fox News before leaving the United States, Vance said he was confident ⁠the ceasefire would hold, and he had seen no evidence of a closed Strait of Hormuz.

A halt to fighting in Lebanon was one of the conditions for starting US-Iranian talks on Tehran's nuclear programme and other issues. But Lebanese civil defence officials said Israeli strikes had killed 20 people on Saturday, hours after a truce took effect.

Israel said it was responding to attacks from Hezbollah, while the group said it would not allow Israel "freedom of movement" in Lebanon.

Israel says it is not party ⁠to the Iran-US deal and will keep its forces in the Lebanese territory it occupies. In a statement, its military said Israel was committed to the ceasefire but would act against any threats.

Israeli broadcaster Channel 12 said the prime minister and defence minister had told the military to hold fire in Lebanon, but it would not withdraw from captured areas.

A poll by Israel's Hebrew University, provided to Reuters, showed about 92% of Israelis believe ⁠Iran benefited more than Israel from the joint Israeli-US military campaign, while just 8% see Israel as having emerged victorious.

Almost 90% of Israelis said war goals had not been met and fewer than 30% believe Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's claims of major achievements.

Lebanon's health ministry says Israeli attacks have killed 4,057 since March 2, including medics, women and children, but not how many combatants are included.

Israeli authorities say at least 32 soldiers and four civilians have been killed in fighting with Hezbollah.

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