US Vice President JD Vance acknowledged Pakistan’s diplomatic efforts and expressed appreciation for Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir’s role during a high-level meeting held ahead of technical negotiations between the United States and Iran in Switzerland.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Field Marshal Asim Munir met Vice President Vance at the Bürgenstock Resort, which has emerged as the focal point of intense diplomatic activity before the scheduled US-Iran talks.
According to reports, Vice President Vance warmly received the Pakistani delegation and held discussions with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Field Marshal Asim Munir. During the meeting, Vance reportedly praised Pakistan’s diplomatic engagement and said, “We love Pakistan, thank you.”
Sources said the US vice president particularly thanked Field Marshal Asim Munir, telling him, “Thank you for what you have done,” in an apparent acknowledgment of Pakistan’s role in facilitating diplomatic engagement.
US Special Envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner were also present during the meeting.
Later, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Field Marshal Asim Munir met Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf and Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi. Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi and Information Minister Attaullah Tarar also attended the meeting.
Pakistan and Qatar Facilitating Diplomacy
Diplomatic sources said Pakistan and Qatar are playing a facilitating role in efforts aimed at promoting dialogue between Washington and Tehran. The initiative is focused on confidence-building measures and exploring pathways that could reduce tensions between the two countries.
Observers believe that if the diplomatic process produces tangible results, it could be regarded as a significant breakthrough for regional diplomacy.
Technical-level negotiations between the United States and Iran are scheduled to take place in Bürgenstock on June 21 as part of ongoing efforts linked to the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif arrived in Switzerland accompanied by Information Minister Attaullah Tarar and Special Assistant Tariq Fatemi.
According to Pakistan’s Foreign Office, Islamabad is facilitating the process as a mediator and host, with the objective of helping both sides advance understandings reached under the Islamabad framework and translate diplomatic progress into practical outcomes.
High-Level Delegations Arrive
Reports indicate that the Iranian delegation is being led by Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf and includes Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, Central Bank Governor Abdolnaser Hemmati, and senior officials from Iran’s security and economic institutions.
Additional members of the Iranian delegation include Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi, Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei, Deputy Oil Minister Hamid Bord, and other senior officials.
American media reports suggested that Vice President JD Vance was expected to participate in discussions in Switzerland, while Jared Kushner and other senior US officials had already arrived. US Special Envoy for the Middle East Steve Witkoff also travelled to Switzerland ahead of the talks.
The negotiations are being closely watched internationally amid hopes that sustained diplomatic engagement could help ease tensions and open avenues for broader understanding between Washington and Tehran.
