Iran-US talks begin in Switzerland as Iranian delegation arrives.

Updated: 5:16 PM PKT — June 21, 2026

Mediator Qatar has officially confirmed the commencement of talks between the United States and Iran in Switzerland, an event now being referred to as the “Lake Lucerne Summit.” In a statement, Qatar’s foreign ministry announced the launch of the summit and the first meeting of a high-level committee involving representatives from the US, Iran, and the two mediating states, Qatar and Pakistan.

Qatar expressed hope that the meetings will result in a “comprehensive and lasting agreement” to achieve a permanent peace in the Middle East, building upon the Memorandum of Understanding signed by the US and Iran earlier this week.

Updated: 12:01 PM PKT — June 21, 2026

The talks in Bürgenstock mark the first direct engagement between the United States and Iran since the signing of the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on June 17. US Vice President JD Vance has arrived for what he termed several days of peace negotiations, while Pakistan’s Chief of Defence Forces, Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir, is also in Switzerland to participate.

A high-level Iranian delegation reached Zurich on Saturday, led by Parliament Speaker and chief negotiator Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf. The delegation includes Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, Central Bank Governor Abdolnaser Hemmati, and National Iranian Oil Company chief Hamid Bovard, indicating discussions will cover diplomatic, security, and economic matters.