In pictures: Delegations descend upon Switzerland's Burgenstock ahead of highly anticipated US-Iran talks
Why this matters: local context for readers following news across Pakistan and the region.
Delegations from the United States, Iran, Pakistan and Qatar arrived at Switzerland’s Burgenstock on Sunday for “technical-level” talks aimed at ironing out the details of the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding signed by Tehran and Washington to bring an end to the conflict that has engulfed the majority of the Middle East. On the table today several important issues: the lifting of the US blockade of Iran, reopening the Strait of Hormuz, Israeli strikes on Lebanon and Hezbollah, unfreezing of Iranian assets, and the sale of the country’s oil. Each side will participate in bilateral talks ahead of the quadrilateral talks including mediators Pakistan and Qatar scheduled for Sunday afternoon. Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf and Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi arrive at Zurich Airport, in Zurich, Switzerland, June 20, 2026. ─ Reuters Iran’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Seyyed Abbas Araghchi (C) arrives at the Burgenstock resort in Obbuergen, near Lucerne on June 21, 2026. ─ Reuters Speaker of the Parliament of Iran, Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf (R) arrives at the Burgenstock resort in Obbuergen, near Lucerne on June 21. — AFP A police car is parked near a hamlet close to the Burgenstock luxury hotel complex overlooking Lake Lucerne, Switzerland, on June 21, 2026. ─ AFP Flags of Switzerland, United States, Qatar, Pakistan and local Swiss canton of Nidwalden are photographed at the Burgenstock luxury hotel complex overlooking Lake Lucerne, Switzerland, on June 21. — AFP A Swiss Army Helicopter flies all around the Buergenstock resort in Obbuergen, near Lucerne, Switzerland, Sunday, June 21, 2026. ─ Reuters Members of US Vice President JD Vance’s staff arrive for high-level talks aimed at advancing a deal to end the Middle East conflict, at Emmen Military Air Base, in Emmen, Switzerland, on June 21. — AFP Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif gestures upon his arrival at the Burgenstock luxury hotel complex overlooking Lake Lucerne, Switzerland, on June 21