JD Vance active in US-Iran diplomatic efforts

Updated: 10:29 AM PKT — June 21, 2026

US Vice President JD Vance has arrived in Switzerland for the next round of negotiations with Iran, scheduled to begin today. Vance, who was accompanied by his wife, landed at Emmen Air Base early Sunday for talks expected to last one to two days, aimed at progress on the nuclear issue and a ceasefire in Lebanon.

A high-level Iranian delegation led by Baqer Qalibaf has also arrived for the talks. They join US President Trump’s special envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, who are already in the country. Qatari representatives are also expected to be part of the negotiations.

Updated: 2:26 AM PKT — June 21, 2026

The next round of US-Iran negotiations is scheduled to take place in Switzerland today. US Vice President JD Vance has departed for the talks, indicating a potential stay of one to two days.

The purpose of the visit is to make progress on the nuclear issue and move forward on the matter of a ceasefire in Lebanon. US Special Envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner are already in Switzerland, and Qatari representatives will also be part of the negotiations.

Updated: 12:01 AM PKT — June 21, 2026

In a dramatic departure from the planned Swiss negotiations, the US-Iran agreement was unexpectedly signed in France during a G7 summit dinner. US President Donald Trump made a sudden decision to finalize the deal, prompting French President Emmanuel Macron to hastily arrange a signing ceremony where he was heard cheering “Bravo.”

The last-minute nature of the event reportedly saw US Secretary of State Marco Rubio searching for a printer to produce the final documents. The deal’s signing in France, witnessed by the world, clarified earlier confusion after Trump had claimed to have signed a deal alone on Sunday. Meanwhile, US Vice President JD Vance confirmed that oil supply through the Strait of Hormuz has returned to pre-war levels, with the US military reporting that over 17 million barrels of oil and 55 commercial vessels passed through the waterway on Saturday, affirming that maritime traffic is proceeding normally.

Updated: 11:26 PM PKT — June 20, 2026

Pakistan played a central role in brokering the recent US-Iran agreement, which is an interim framework creating a 60-day negotiating window to address sanctions, nuclear restrictions, and regional security. The Swiss Foreign Ministry has confirmed it is facilitating ongoing implementation talks in Bürgenstock, emphasizing the need for confidentiality.

The diplomatic breakthrough is seen as an act of strategic self-preservation for Pakistan, which shares a long border with Iran. It offers immediate security dividends by reducing regional tensions and presents significant economic opportunities, particularly for Gwadar port to serve as an alternative trade corridor for Iran. However, capitalizing on this requires Pakistan to overcome implementation gaps in its trade regulations. An Iranian business delegation is already in Pakistan exploring meat imports.

Updated: 10:54 PM PKT — June 20, 2026

US and Iranian delegations are heading to Switzerland for follow-up negotiations on a Mideast peace agreement, with talks expected to resume as early as Sunday. US Vice President JD Vance stated that “things are going well” and confirmed he expects to travel to Switzerland within two days, joining envoys already working on technical aspects of the deal.

However, tensions have resurfaced as Iran’s military announced it was re-closing the Strait of Hormuz in response to continued Israeli attacks in Lebanon. An Iranian negotiating team, including top negotiator Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, departed for Switzerland demanding the US fulfill its commitments under the deal, which Tehran insists must include a ceasefire in Lebanon.