JD Vance Holds US-Iran Talks in Switzerland as Trump Threatens Strikes Over Hormuz

Vice President JD Vance began talks Sunday in Switzerland with Iranian officials as President Donald Trump threatened fresh attacks on Tehran if it blocked the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz.

“Talks between the US and Iran are under way in Switzerland, even as fissures emerge over President Donald Trump’s threats and Israel’s refusal to cease hostilities in Lebanon”

Al Jazeera

NBC News reported that “The Iranian delegation has expressed its protest to the American side and is now reviewing appropriate response to Donald Trump’s recent verbal threats,” adding that “any form of threat is considered a serious violation of the agreement.”

Al Jazeera

Trump’s warnings were tied to Lebanon, with NBC News saying he posted on Truth Social that “we’ll hit Iran very hard again, just like we did last week, only harder!!!” unless it stops “their highly paid PROXIES in Lebanon,” referring to Hezbollah.

Al Jazeera said the talks began at the Swiss mountain resort of Burgenstock, where it described “high drama” as fissures emerged over Trump’s threats and Israel’s refusal to cease hostilities in Lebanon.

In the same reporting, Vance told the media that “great” progress had been made toward a future “where everyone can work together to promote peace and prosperity.”

As negotiations unfolded behind closed doors, Trump threatened to strike Iran if it did not stop Hezbollah from “causing trouble,” while Iran’s chief negotiator Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf warned the US to “be careful with their statements”.

Euronews quoted Ghalibaf saying, “Don’t they think that if their threats had any effect, they wouldn’t be in this desperate situation today?” and added that “We do not take American threats into account at all.”

Al-Jazeera Net

The BBC said Trump exchanged warnings with Iran’s lead negotiator Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf as a first round of direct talks was held in Switzerland, with Trump threatening to attack Iran if it did not restrain Hezbollah in southern Lebanon.

In the BBC’s account, Ghalibaf dismissed the threat and said Iran's armed forces were prepared for confrontation, while Netanyahu insisted Israel would remain in southern Lebanon for as long as necessary to protect northern Israel.

NBC News also reported that Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps’ navy warned ships not to approach the waterway, after Iran said Saturday it had once again closed the Strait of Hormuz.

The talks are framed around a 60-day window to end the war and build out the interim deal, with the BBC saying last week's initial agreement includes an end to fighting on “all fronts” and the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz.

“Trump and Iran's negotiator trade warnings as talks held in Switzerland President Donald Trump has exchanged warnings with Iran's lead negotiator Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf as a first round of direct talks was held in Switzerland after the countries signed an initial agreement to end the war”

BBC

Al Jazeera reported that Iran’s IRGC cited ongoing strikes when it declared the Strait of Hormuz shut again, while Trump threatened fresh strikes against Iran as the negotiations began in Burgenstock.

NBC News said the U.S. military denied Iran’s claim to control the strait and reported that “55 merchant ships transiting the strait on Saturday laden with more than 17 million barrels of oil.”

The Christian Science Monitor described the U.S. aim to get Iran locked into negotiations over its nuclear program amid concerns it may be used for military purposes, while Iran’s Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmail Baghaei told Iran’s state news agency that Iran’s main focus during negotiations would be the war between Israel and Hezbollah in Lebanon.

In the Christian Science Monitor’s account, Vance said, “The question before us now is how much more can we accomplish together? Can we turn over a new leaf?” as the on-again, off-again conflict in Lebanon continued to threaten to derail the effort.