Vance Engages Iranian Officials in Switzerland Amid Trump’s Threats

In Obergern, Switzerland — High-level U.S.-Iran discussions on their interim agreement to halt conflict began tentatively Sunday, marked by friction as Tehran expressed displeasure over remarks from President Donald Trump, who warned of potential military action and urged Iran’s leader to exercise caution in public statements.

These remote comments—via social media and press outlets—complicated efforts by Vice President JD Vance and mediators from Pakistan and Qatar to sustain Iran’s participation in talks aimed at resolving critical issues, including Tehran’s nuclear program, the Strait of Hormuz, and the release of billions in frozen Iranian assets.

Prioritizing Lebanon, where Israel’s military is engaged in combat against the Iranian-backed Hezbollah group since the agreement’s implementation, emerged as a key focus.

“Iran must immediately cease funding its PROXIES in Lebanon,” Trump stated on social media. “If they don’t, we’ll target Iran more severely than last week, possibly even harder!!!”

“They would benefit from prudence in their statements,” Iran’s lead negotiator, Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf, remarked on X following Trump’s remarks. “Our military is prepared to respond in an alternative manner. They may continue speaking, but it is we who act.”

Iranian state media noted that discussions had entered a “challenging phase” and paused after the “publication of an offensive message by the U.S. President.” The Iranian delegation then convened with Qatari mediators and departed the negotiation site, according to state media reports.

Vance and U.S. negotiators, including Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, spent approximately 80 minutes with Qalibaf and Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi.

An informed source later disclosed to the AP that the Iranian delegation remained actively involved in the talks and had not signaled any intent to withdraw. The source requested anonymity due to the discussions’ sensitivity.

Negotiators face a 60-day window to finalize technical details with significant implications for the global economy and security.

“The pressing question now is how much further we can collaborate? Can we begin anew?” Vance asked as talks commenced, and inquired whether they could “permanently transform Middle Eastern relations.”

The U.S. seeks Iran’s commitment to negotiations over its nuclear program, citing concerns that it might be weaponized, a claim Iran denies. Vance also demands Tehran agree to keep the Strait of Hormuz open, which Iran on Saturday claimed to have closed. The U.S. disputes this, asserting shipping traffic continued Sunday.

However, Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmail Baghaei stated to state news that Tehran initially desires talks to prioritize the Lebanon conflict.

A recent ceasefire in Lebanon, achieved on Saturday, seemed to hold, and Israel’s military announced it would ease movement restrictions for residents near the Lebanon border on Monday morning — another indication of stability.

Yet, neither Israel nor Hezbollah is part of the U.S.-Iran agreement, and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has vowed to maintain his military presence in southern Lebanon until any threat to Israel is neutralized. Hezbollah has refused to halt attacks unless Israel commits to withdrawal.

The agreement signed by Trump and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian immediately permits Tehran to sell oil freely and enables Iran to access billions in currently frozen assets.

It also mandates Iran to reduce its stockpile of highly enriched uranium, believed to be stored at nuclear sites targeted by U.S. strikes a year prior.

However, Pezeshkian declared on Sunday that “we will never abandon our right to enrich uranium, and the other side is also compelled to accept this,” according to Iran’s state media.

In a later phone interview with Fox News, Trump warned that the Iranian president should be mindful of his remarks and threatened to seize control of Iran, as relayed by a Fox correspondent.

Iran had cautiously approached the talks, given its previous experiences with U.S. negotiations on the nuclear issue, which were twice disrupted in the past year by military strikes.

Vance stated he intended to remain in Switzerland for “a day or two,” delegating much of the detailed negotiations to Witkoff and Kushner. His involvement in the talks has drawn heightened scrutiny amid his consideration of a 2028 presidential campaign.

Trump and Vance face criticism from within their party for the deal, with Republican hardliners comparing it unfavorably to the nuclear agreement under the Obama administration, which Trump and Republicans argue failed to end Iran’s nuclear program.

The new agreement allows commercial vessels to traverse the Strait of Hormuz for 60 days without fees, though it does not preclude future Iranian charges. Trump announced on Saturday that he would impose U.S. tolls if no deal is reached within 60 days, stating the funds would be for “services rendered as the Guardian Angel to the Middle East countries.”

The Trump administration has worked to reassure global markets that the conflict is a temporary blip on oil prices, as Americans express frustration over high gasoline costs ahead of summer travel. Following the deal’s announcement, oil futures fell nearly 8%.

Markets are expected to closely monitor the talks’ progress when trading resumes Sunday evening.

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