Switzerland Talks Enter Tough Phase After Trump Renews Threats Against Iran

US Vice President JD Vance said on Sunday that there was an opportunity to “turn over a new leaf” with Iran as the sides held talks aimed at building out the interim deal to end the war in Iran reached last week. However, President Donald Trump simultaneously threatened to restart strikes on Iran for its support of Hezbollah militants in Lebanon or if it moved to close the strategic Strait of Hormuz. “Iran must immediately stop their highly paid PROXIES in Lebanon from causing trouble,” Trump said on social media, adding: “If they don’t, we’ll hit Iran very hard again, just like we did last week, only harder!!!”

The talks took place at a Swiss mountainside resort near Lake Lucerne, where Vance met with Iran's parliamentary speaker, Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf, and Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi. Mediators from Pakistan and Qatar were also present for the direct engagement that, according to Iranian state media, lasted about 80 minutes. The US is looking to get Iran locked into negotiations over its nuclear program amid concerns it may be used for military purposes, which Iran denies. Vance also is pushing Tehran to commit to keeping open the Strait of Hormuz, a critical waterway through which about a fifth of world traded oil passes.

But Trump's comments from afar—he spent much of the weekend at Camp David—appeared to threaten to derail the negotiations. “They would do better to be careful about their statements,” Qalibaf posted on X. “Our armed forces are prepared to respond to them in a different manner. They may keep talking, it is we who act.” Iranian state media said the talks had entered a “difficult phase” and recessed after the “publication of an insulting message by the US President.” The Iranian delegation then met with Qatari mediators and left the negotiating site, state media said. Despite the heated social media exchanges, an official with knowledge of the talks later told the AP that the Iranian delegation remained engaged and has not indicated any intention to leave.

The interim agreement signed last week immediately allows Tehran to sell its oil freely and paves the way for Iran to tap into billions of dollars in assets that are currently frozen. It also calls for Iran to dilute its stockpile of highly enriched uranium. However, Iranian President Pezeshkian insists on Iran maintaining its right to enrich uranium. The US and Iranian negotiating teams also held separate private talks with Pakistani and Qatari officials. Vice President Vance was joined by special envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, Trump's son-in-law, for Sunday's talks. Vance said he planned to be in Switzerland for just “a day or two,” leaving detailed negotiations to Witkoff and Kushner.

Regarding the Strait of Hormuz, the agreement says commercial vessels can pass through for 60 days without charge, but does not preclude future fees imposed by Iran. Trump made his own threat to levy US tolls if there is no deal in 60 days. Neither Israel nor Hezbollah is a signatory to the deal, and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has vowed to keep forces in southern Lebanon until any threat is eliminated, while Hezbollah refuses to halt attacks unless Israel commits to withdrawing.