First high-level US-Iran meeting yields ‘encouraging progress,’ Pakistani PM says

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said on Monday that the first high-level US-Iran committee meeting held in Switzerland had yielded “encouraging progress,” including a roadmap toward a final agreement within 60 days. The crucial meeting under the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding concluded in Burgenstock on Sunday. “The discussions were held in a positive and constructive atmosphere and yielded encouraging progress, including agreement on a roadmap toward a final deal within 60 days, the establishment of a High-Level Committee to provide political oversight, and the commencement of further technical talks,” Sharif said in a statement.

Pakistan’s mediation role

Sharif commended the leadership of both the US and Iran for their “continued commitment” to constructive engagement and thanked all brotherly and friendly countries for their support. “In particular, I would like to express my gratitude to our brotherly country Qatar for its critical support in creating the conditions necessary for these negotiations to move forward,” he added. Pakistan will continue to play its “honest and sincere role in advancing dialogue and diplomacy towards a peaceful and lasting resolution,” Sharif reiterated. The Swiss government was also thanked for hosting the talks.