Trump threats derail first day of US-Iran talks in Switzerland as Hormuz closure looms

Opening day derailed

The first day of US-Iran negotiations in Switzerland was suspended after President Trump issued threats to resume bombing and take over the country if Iran closes the Strait of Hormuz. The talks, mediated by Pakistan and Qatar, began Sunday morning but were interrupted after 80 minutes, according to Iranian state media. Iran's delegation, led by parliament speaker Bagher Ghalibaf, filed a formal complaint and suspended participation. SAPO reports the suspension is temporary and talks may resume Monday, contradicting earlier reports that the delegation had left Switzerland.

If they close the strait they lose their country. They won't even go back to your damn country... we will take the rest of the country.

Strait of Hormuz and nuclear red lines

The Strait of Hormuz emerged as a flashpoint. Iran had announced it would again close the strategic waterway in response to Israel's military campaign in Lebanon. Vice President Vance, who arrived in Switzerland for the talks, claimed the US had already achieved the opening of the strait and the end of Iran's nuclear program, but acknowledged the situation remained volatile.

We can permanently change relations in the Middle East, or we go back to doing things the old way, which is not our preference, but it is certainly something that can happen.

President Pezeshkian reiterated Iran's willingness to guarantee it would not build a nuclear bomb, but insisted on the right to enrich uranium.

What the US demands is that Iran does not build an atomic bomb. This is not new, and we can also declare in writing that we have no intention of building a bomb.

Lebanon ceasefire as priority

Iran's foreign ministry spokesman Esmail Baghai said the main topic of the talks was the situation in Lebanon, where a fragile truce between Israel and Hezbollah took effect Saturday after clashes on Friday and Saturday. Iran accuses Israel of violating the memorandum of understanding signed Wednesday, which called for an end to hostilities on all fronts. The US reportedly agreed to address Lebanon first, though its priority was the nuclear program.

The Zionist regime continues to violate its commitments in Lebanon. This issue will be the main topic of today's discussions.

Asset unfreezing and oil sanctions

An Iranian negotiator, Hussein Gurbanzadeh, told Al Jazeera that the first meeting focused on frozen assets and a temporary exemption from oil sanctions. A final draft proposal on oil sanctions relief was concluded. The 60-day deadline for a definitive peace agreement, set by the memorandum, adds urgency.

In Switzerland, we discussed the temporary exemption of sanctions on oil and its derivatives, and the final draft of a proposal on this subject has already been concluded.