Foreign News
Swiss Test As Iran Shuts Hormuz, Pak Recalls Toilet Paper Slight
Is the “electronic signing” of the Iran-US peace agreement by Presidents Donald Trump and Pezekshian the new norm when it comes to international agreements? Do they carry the same weight as a formal ceremony under the arc lights?
A former Indian diplomat told StratNewsGlobal that “these are evolving norms although there is a signed copy too.”
But neither Trump nor Pezekshian will be present at the formal signing ceremony in Buergenstock, Switzerland. In fact, reports say Tehran has shut the Strait of Hormuz in view of Israeli strikes on Lebanon during a ceasefire.
Tehran accused the US of “bad faith”, of “clear breach of its commitments”, tough language, but it would appear that a ceremony of some kind will be held in Switzerland.
Zurich-based Indian writer and commentator Prem Mahadevan, told StratNewsGlobal that “Preparatory meetings underway at Buergenstock, the venue of talks. Iranian and US envoys are reportedly en route to Switzerland. Attendees from Qatar and Pakistan present.”
CBS Chief Foreign Affairs Correspondent Margaret Brennan posted on X that “CBS has confirmed that Envoy Steve Witkoff is expected to arrive in Switzerland to launch technical talks regarding implementation of the MOU with Iran. The Prime Minister of Qatar, a key mediator, is already there.
“The Swiss Foreign Ministry tells our Kristin Brown that Büergenstock is hosting diplomats from various countries to maintain the dialogue. I’m told that Iran’s Aragchi is not present.”
Reuters reported on Friday that US Vice President JD Vance had canceled plans to attend the talks which were called off after renewed fighting in Lebanon. Those plans did not change although a ceasefire was in place later that day, courtesy the efforts of US and Qatari negotiators.
What about Pakistan? Dunya News also reported on Friday that “The Pakistani delegation consisting of senior Foreign Office officials has reached Switzerland ahead of signing ceremony of the MoU between the United States and Iran … who will finalize arrangements and diplomatic matters related to the signing ceremony.
Dunya News quoting sources said that Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif is also scheduled to depart for Switzerland on Thursday morning, where he will lead the Pakistani delegation.
But Arab News also had reported on Friday that “Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s planned trip to Switzerland was thrown into uncertainty on Thursday after the United States and Iran signed a peace agreement electronically.”
It quoted a senior official of the prime minister’s office as saying that “The Prime Minister’s visit is still on. The visit has been delayed but he is expected to leave with his delegation later today.”
A second official also said the trip was under review after indications that a physical signing ceremony might no longer be necessary.
Not for the first time, Pakistan may have been left with the feeling of being used by its Western allies, its sentiments ignored or treated casually. It’s something Defence Minister Khwaja Asif had alluded to while addressing the National Assembly in February this year.
He said Islamabad had been “used like toilet paper and then discarded” after serving American interests in Afghanistan. He pointed the finger at two Pakistani military dictators, who desirous of getting close to the US, invoked Islam and religion to get the country involved in two wars in Afghanistan.
Asif survived those remarks considering he is in a government that owes its existence to another military dictator, Field Marshal Asim Munir who also appears keen on getting into Donald Trump’s good books.
