Despite Switzerland’s announcement of postponing the US-Iranian talks that were scheduled to be held today, Friday, in the Bürgenstock resort, Pakistan confirmed that there are no obstacles preventing the start of the negotiating track between Washington and Tehran, at a time when uncertainty surrounds the date for the resumption of official contacts between the two sides.
The Pakistani Ministry of Foreign Affairs clarified that the US-Iranian talks do not face any fundamental obstacles, noting that postponement does not mean the collapse or faltering of the negotiating track.
In the same context, Pakistani Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif announced that Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian had accepted his invitation to visit Islamabad, expressing his appreciation for Pakistani positions in support of Iran during the last stage. Sharif also thanked Army Commander Field Marshal Asim Munir, Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar, and Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi for the efforts they made in this context.
On the other hand, the Swiss Foreign Ministry had announced that the US-Iranian talks would not be held in the Bürgenstock resort as planned. However, Al Arabiya channel reported from the resort that the meetings were not canceled completely, but were only postponed, stressing that the strict security measures, including the ban on flying over the area, are still in effect.
This development came after the White House announced, on Thursday evening, that US Vice President J.D. Vance had canceled his trip to Switzerland, which was aimed at launching the first round of negotiations to implement the memorandum of understanding signed between the United States and Iran, which US President Donald Trump and his Iranian counterpart Masoud Pezeshkian signed last Wednesday night, with the aim of ending the war and opening the door to a broader settlement.
This postponement raised widespread questions about the timing of the start of the new negotiating phase, which is supposed to extend for 60 days, subject to extension, as stipulated in the memorandum of understanding. It also increased doubts about the ability of the two parties to overcome the complex controversial issues and reach a final agreement.
Diplomatic data indicate that a number of sensitive issues are still on the table for discussion, most notably the Lebanese file, which is considered one of the most prominent tests for the success and continuation of the American-Iranian understanding, in light of the continuing field tensions and regional tensions associated with it.
This scene comes at a time when the capitals of the region are awaiting the results of the next phase of negotiations, given the direct repercussions it may have on multiple security and political files, extending from the Gulf to Lebanon, passing through the Iranian nuclear file and regional security arrangements.
