Islamabad likely to host US-Iran talks on July 11

Pakistan's capital, Islamabad, is the leading candidate to host a new round of technical negotiations between the United States and Iran, which are scheduled for July 11. The talks, which were delayed due to the state funeral for Iran's late Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, aim to advance a diplomatic framework established last month.

According to diplomatic sources, while Switzerland's Burgenstock resort remains a possible venue, Islamabad is considered the more likely option, with a final decision pending. The negotiations are set to resume following the conclusion of Khamenei's funeral ceremonies, which began on July 5 and are scheduled to continue through July 9. Iranian officials have stated they will announce their delegation's composition after the ceremonies conclude.

The July 11 meeting is intended to build upon the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding, signed by the two nations on June 18. That agreement established a 60-day framework to negotiate a comprehensive deal covering Iran's nuclear program, sanctions relief, and the release of Iranian assets frozen abroad. The upcoming technical discussions are also expected to address regional security issues,...