Burgenstock talks open as Sharif praises Iran and hails Trump's peace role

Zurich,UPDATED: Jun 22, 2026 00:16 IST

Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Sunday praised the Iranian delegation's "cool-headedness, dignity and attempts at de-escalation" as quadrilateral talks involving the US, Iran, Qatar and Pakistan began in the Swiss mountain resort of Burgenstock. The meeting, being referred to as the Lake Lucerne Summit, is focused on implementing key provisions of a Memorandum of Understanding signed last week by US President Donald Trump and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, with Sharif signing as a guarantor.

Sharif said the Iranian leadership genuinely wanted peace and added that "So does President Trump." He also said he had "no second thoughts" about Trump being a "man of peace", adding, "He has demonstrated that during the war between Pakistan and India." The MoU opened a 60-day negotiation window on restoring peace in West Asia, with focus on Iran's nuclear programme, sanctions on Tehran and Israel's offensive in Lebanon, while Pakistan and Qatar are acting as mediators.

Sharif also said he was optimistic about a "renewed friendship" with the US and hoped it would grow into a relationship of close coordination and cooperation between the two countries. Trump has repeatedly claimed since May 10 last year that he stopped the conflict between India and Pakistan, after announcing on social media that the two countries had agreed to a "full and immediate" ceasefire following a "long night" of talks mediated by Washington.

As the talks began, Trump warned Iran over unrest in Lebanon. In a post on Truth Social, he said, "Iran must immediately stop their highly paid PROXIES in Lebanon from causing trouble. If they don't, we'll hit Iran very hard again, just like we did last week, only harder!!!" In an interview with Fox News, he also issued threats over the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, saying he had "a variety of options" at his disposal.

US Vice President J D Vance said "peace requires give and take" and described the meeting as historic. "Never before have Iranian and American leadership met at such a high level outside of Islamabad," he said. He added, "What today really represents is the beginning of a technical negotiation that's not going to solve every disagreement, but is going to allow us to sit together as teams, for the first time really in history, to figure out what matters most to the respective parties, to settle those issues, to solve those issues, and get to a better tomorrow." Vance said the political leadership was present to set up the structure for the technical talks and to ensure the teams had full backing to "break through any barriers". Thanking Trump, he said a great deal had "already been accomplished" and asked, "Can we change relations in the Middle East, or do we go back to doing things the old way?" He added, "We see a future where everyone can work together to promote peace and prosperity for everyone."

Vance said Trump was committed to a "full regional ceasefire", including Lebanon, and added that such ceasefires are always "a little bit messy", though progress had been seen in recent days. He also said, "If Iran is willing to give up nuclear weapon ambitions for the long term, the US is willing to transform relations with them," and added that Trump had asked him to "turn over a new leaf to transform our relationship with the people of Iran, and to extend an outstretched hand". Speaking about Pakistan's role, Vance said, "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," adding that he had "probably talked to Field Marshal Munir more than anyone else over the last few months".

Qatari Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani thanked both the US and Iranian delegations for their efforts. "I think that everyone of you has highlighted how important and historic this is, not only on the security of the region but also for the security of the world and for the global economy," he said. Earlier in the day, Sharif separately met the US and Iranian negotiators on the sidelines of the talks. The American side was led by Vance and the Iranian delegation by Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf. Photographs posted on X by Sharif's office showed him shaking hands with them in separate meetings. Before the talks began in the evening, Sharif addressed the press in the presence of Vance and Al Thani, and also praised Pakistan Army chief Asim Munir, who accompanied him to Switzerland and was seen during the meetings. Sharif said, "I think here we are going to have wonderful discussions which will lead to, hopefully, very productive results in times to come," and added, "Hopefully when we go back to our homes, we'll have some wonderful paper in our hand which will promote peace, progress and prosperity around the globe."

The Burgenstock meeting brought together the main negotiating sides, the US and Iran, with Pakistan and Qatar in mediating roles, as efforts continued under the MoU's 60-day window. The technical discussions were due to begin on Friday but were delayed mainly because of fresh rounds of firing between Israel and Iran-backed Hezbollah.

With PTI Inputs

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