Zurich: An Iranian delegation led by Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf is in Switzerland for negotiations with the United States and to ensure the implementation of the memorandum of understanding (MoU) signed between Tehran and Washington. The delegation arrived in Zurich late on Saturday. Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, Deputy Secretary of the Supreme National Security Council Ali Bagheri Kani, and Central Bank of Iran Governor Abdolnaser Hemmati are also part of the delegation.
According to Islamic Republic News Agency, Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baqaei, who is also accompanying the delegation, said before departure that the main goal of the trip to Switzerland is to ensure the implementation of the MoU. Baqaei emphasized the importance of testing any understanding or agreement during its implementation phase, especially given the other side's track record of not honoring its commitments. He also mentioned the US's obligation under the MoU to stop Israeli attacks on Lebanon, a commitment yet to be fulfilled.
The MoU, announced by Tehran and Washington last week, was formally signed electronically by Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian and US President Donald Trump on June 17. Qatar, Turkey, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, and Pakistan played roles in brokering the agreement, which officially ended the war waged by the US and Israel against Iran on February 28. Pakistan has been the main mediator and facilitator of the Iran-US talks leading to the deal, known as the Islamabad Memorandum, which calls for a ceasefire on all fronts, including in Lebanon.
Speaker Ghalibaf, while remembering the Minab schoolchildren, shared a message on his X account upon arriving in Switzerland. He expressed his commitment to the martyrs of Iran, including 168 people, mostly students, who were killed in a US airstrike on a primary school in Minab on February 28, the first day of the war.
According to the office of Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, the prime minister and Army Chief Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir are set to join the negotiations between the Iranian and American delegations. They have departed for the Swiss mountain resort of Brgenstock, where the talks will be held on Sunday. The prime minister's office also announced that Qatari mediators will participate in the talks. Pakistan's Foreign Ministry emphasized its continued support in facilitating the MoU's implementation.
US Vice President JD Vance has arrived in Switzerland for the high-level talks with Iran, Al Jazeera reported. President Trump's son-in-law Jared Kushner and special envoy Esteve Witkoff were already present in the European country for the negotiations.