Next round of US-Iran technical negotiations expected to resume soon

ISLAMABAD: The United States and Iran are expected to resume technical negotiations within days as diplomatic efforts to advance a broader agreement on Tehran’s nuclear programme and regional security gather pace after a brief pause. The second round of talks was held in Burgenstock, Switzerland on June 21 after Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding was signed by Iranian President Massoud Pezehskian, US President Donald Trump and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif.

The talks will likely focus on Iran’s nuclear programme, sanctions relief, frozen Iranian assets and regional security, including freedom of navigation through the Strait of Hormuz. The negotiations were delayed following the funeral ceremony of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and his family members, with Tehran expected to announce its delegation after the mourning period concludes.

While a final venue is yet to be confirmed, diplomatic sources told Dawn that Islamabad has emerged as the preferred location for the technical-level talks, although Switzerland’s Bürgenstock resort also remains under consideration. Al-Arabiya also reported on Saturday that the next round is expected to take place on July 11 as well. Meanwhile, Geo News stated that according to government sources, the talks will be held on July 14 and 15.

Separately, journalist Kamran Yousaf, citing diplomatic sources, reported for Express News that despite previous rounds of negotiations in Switzerland and Doha, the Iranian leadership considers Islamabad the preferred venue for the next round of talks. According to the sources, Pakistan’s strong relations with both Iran and the Gulf states, along with its role as a trusted mediator, have enhanced its importance in the diplomatic process. Several media reports have suggested that the next round of negotiations could be held in Islamabad, although different dates, July 11, 14 and 20, have been mentioned. However, neither the United States, Iran nor Pakistan has officially confirmed the venue or date of the proposed talks.

The proposed meeting would build on the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding signed on June 18, which set out a 60-day roadmap for negotiations on Iran’s nuclear programme, sanctions relief and wider regional security issues.

Pakistan has played a prominent role in facilitating the dialogue. It hosted the first round of talks on April 10 and, alongside Qatar, has continued to facilitate indirect communication between Washington and Tehran. Islamabad had also been under consideration to host the second round before the talks were ultimately held in Switzerland.

Earlier indirect technical discussions in Doha reportedly narrowed differences between the two sides, although Washington and Tehran offered contrasting assessments of the outcome. While US President Donald Trump described the talks as productive, Iranian officials said progress had been made on the release of billions of dollars in frozen Iranian assets, a claim disputed by US officials.