This live blog follows the latest developments across the Middle East crisis, including regional diplomacy, maritime security, ceasefire negotiations, and economic fallout.
Catch up: Yesterday’s top developments
- Trump praises Pakistan leadership
- UK foreign secretary terms Israeli minister's Lebanon remarks 'horrendous'
- Islamabad, Tehran discuss ties, regional developments
- Pakistan leaders join next negotiation phase
- US VP Vance departs Washington for Iran talks in Switzerland
Technical negotiations set to begin
Published: June 21, 2026 | 00:00 GMT | by Web Desk
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Chief of Defense Forces and Chief of Army Staff Field Marshal Asim Munir arrived in Switzerland on Sunday ahead of technical-level talks under the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding, as efforts to implement the Iran-US agreement move into a new phase.
The development came as Switzerland welcomed the arrival of the Iranian delegation in Bürgenstock. In a post on X, the Swiss Foreign Ministry said: “We welcome the arrival of the Iranian delegation in Switzerland,” adding that the delegation was traveling to Bürgenstock “as part of the implementation of the MoU signed between the United States and Iran.”
US Vice President JD Vance also departed Washington for the talks, signaling the importance Washington attaches to the negotiations. Speaking to reporters before leaving Joint Base Andrews, Vance said he hoped the discussions would make progress on “the nuclear issue” and “the Lebanon ceasefire issue,” describing them as the two main priorities for the next stage of negotiations.
The talks, scheduled for June 21, will bring together representatives of the United States and Iran, alongside mediators from Pakistan and Qatar, marking the first formal technical engagement since the signing of the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding by US President Donald Trump and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian.
The discussions are expected to focus on implementing commitments under the agreement's 60-day framework as negotiators seek to advance the next phase of the peace process.
Pakistan leaders join next negotiation phase
Published: June 20, 2026 | 19:45 GMT | by Web Desk
Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Chief of Defense Forces and Chief of Army Staff Field Marshal Asim Munir departed Islamabad on Saturday for Switzerland to participate in technical-level talks under the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding, according to a statement issued by the Prime Minister's Office.
The discussions are scheduled to take place in Bürgenstock on June 21 and form part of the next phase of engagement following the signing of the Islamabad MoU between the United States and Iran earlier this week.
According to the statement, PM Sharif and Field Marshal Asim Munir will participate in the talks alongside a high-level Pakistani delegation. Representatives of the United States and Iran, as well as mediators from Pakistan and Qatar, are expected to take part in the discussions.
The talks are aimed at advancing understandings reached under the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding and moving forward on issues covered under the agreement's implementation framework, according to Pakistani officials.
For earlier developments, read our June 20 live blog here
