Iran Delegation Leaves Switzerland Talks Venue After Trump Remarks

GENEVA, Jun 21: Iran’s negotiating team has protested remarks by US President Donald Trump during ongoing talks in Switzerland, saying the comments amounted to a violation of the memorandum of understanding between Tehran and Washington, Iran’s Tasnim News Agency reported.

Citing the Iranian delegation, Tasnim said Trump’s threats against Iran and its negotiating team represented “a blatant violation” of the first article of the memorandum. According to the delegation, Article 1 requires the United States to refrain from issuing threats during the negotiation process.

Earlier on Sunday, Trump urged Iran to “immediately stop” what he called its “highly paid proxies in Lebanon” from causing trouble, warning that Washington would respond forcefully if Tehran failed to do so.

“If they don’t, we’ll hit Iran very hard again, just like we did last week, only harder,” Trump wrote on Truth Social.

Fox News also reported that Trump warned Iranian officials overnight against closing the Strait of Hormuz , saying, “You won’t have a country.” He reportedly added that the United States could take control of the strategic waterway if necessary.

“We may take over the Strait, if we have to,” Trump was quoted as saying.

Trump further suggested the US could act as the “Guardian Angel” of the Strait of Hormuz, collect tolls if no deal is reached, and take 20% of the oil, according to the report.

In the Fox News interview, Trump also criticized Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian over Tehran’s insistence on maintaining its right to enrich uranium, warning that he “better watch his mouth.”

The reported remarks have added tension to the Switzerland talks, where US and Iranian delegations are discussing implementation of an interim agreement. No immediate official response was reported from Washington regarding Iran’s protest.