Iran's latest round of talks with the US was derailed Sunday by a burst of fresh threats from President Trump. Tehran's delegation walked out of negotiations in Switzerland after just more than an hour when Trump warned on social media that the US would hit Iran "very hard again" if it didn't rein in Hezbollah in Lebanon, the Wall Street Journal reports. Iranian state media said the comments breached last week's preliminary deal, which bars both sides from attacks or threats. The president's threats, made in a Fox News interview, landed just as Vance was saying Trump wants to "turn over a new leaf" in US-Iran relations, per the New York Times.
The agreement, signed Wednesday, was meant to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, launch 60 days of nuclear talks, and help lock in a ceasefire in Lebanon. Instead, per the Journal, Iran has announced the strait is shut, said talks will now center on Lebanon, and is signaling it's ready to respond militarily. Iranian state media called Trump's words insulting. "They better be careful with their statements," posted Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, parliament speaker and chief negotiator, adding that Iran's forces are prepared to "respond in a different way." Vance, leading the US team at the Swiss resort of Bürgenstock, was trying to keep the tone upbeat, saying "great progress" was being made and holding out the prospect of sanctions relief—if Iran curbs what the Trump administration calls destabilizing activities. CNN reports the talks are halted but not over.
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