Key facts
- Iranian negotiators walked out of US talks in Switzerland due to threats made by Donald Trump.
- Mediators Qatar and Pakistan continued negotiations and announced agreements on a communication line for the Strait of Hormuz and a de-confliction cell with Lebanon.
- Iran has remounted its blockade in the Strait of Hormuz in protest of Israeli attacks in Lebanon.
- Donald Trump threatened military action and economic tolls if Iran did not comply with US demands.
- The talks aimed to address Iran's civil nuclear program, the Strait of Hormuz blockade, and US sanctions.
High-stakes negotiations between the United States and Iran in Switzerland were significantly strained after Iranian negotiators walked out in protest of threats made by U.S. President Donald Trump on social media. Trump had threatened to bomb Iran and potentially kidnap its negotiating team if the Strait of Hormuz was not reopened.
Mediators Qatar and Pakistan continued discussions in the background, with Iranian state media describing the talks as entering a 'difficult phase.' Despite the walkout, high-level negotiations concluded early Monday, and technical talks are expected to continue throughout the week. A joint statement from Qatar and Pakistan indicated that the US and Iran agreed to establish a 'communication line' to prevent incidents in the Strait of Hormuz and a 'de-confliction cell' with the Lebanese government to ensure adherence to a cessation of military operations in Lebanon.
Iran's foreign minister, Abbas Araghchi, praised Pakistan and Qatar for their mediation, stating they 'delivered major progress.' The first test of these understandings, according to Araghchi, would be the de-confliction method for the ongoing conflict between Israel and Iran-backed Hezbollah in Lebanon. The talks also follow a memorandum of understanding signed last week between Iran and the US aimed at lifting the blockade on the Strait of Hormuz, leading to 60 days of discussions on Iran's civil nuclear program.
Trump's aggressive rhetoric, including threats to 'take over the strait' and 'collect tolls,' contrasted with the more conciliatory tone of Vice President JD Vance, who stated his objective was to 'turn over a new leaf' in US-Iran relations. However, the Iranian delegation felt compelled to walk out due to domestic political pressure and concerns over personal safety, viewing Trump's threats as a violation of the non-aggression pact within the memorandum.
Iran has also remounted its blockade in the Strait of Hormuz, protesting continued Israeli attacks in Lebanon and accusing Trump of allowing Israel to breach the signed memorandum. US energy secretary Chris Wright, however, claimed the blockade was having no effect, with a significant number of ships transiting the waterway. Senator Lindsey Graham suggested that if the deal fails, Trump would forcibly take control of the Strait of Hormuz and charge fees for passage.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reiterated Israel's commitment to remaining in a security buffer zone in southern Lebanon and its determination to prevent Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons. Iran's delegation, which included the heads of its national oil company and central bank, indicated that the lifting of oil sanctions and the unfreezing of assets were key priorities. The Iranian delegation initially refused to appear on camera with the US delegation but was later filmed in the same room during quadrilateral talks.