Iran hails ‘progress’ as first day of talks with US conclude after shaky start | US-Israel war on Iran
US politics | The Guardian — 2026-06-22 02:33:00 — www.theguardian.com
Trump’s Threats and Social Media Outbursts Complicate US-Iran Talks in Switzerland
As high-level negotiations between the United States and Iran opened in Switzerland, President Donald Trump’s threats and inflammatory social media posts cast a shadow over efforts to de-escalate tensions in the Middle East. The talks, mediated by Qatar and Pakistan, aim to broker a ceasefire in Lebanon and set a roadmap for resolving disputes over Iran’s nuclear program and US sanctions.
Trump’s Escalating Rhetoric
Over the weekend, Iran announced it had reinstated a blockade in the Strait of Hormuz in protest of ongoing Israeli strikes in Lebanon, accusing Trump of allowing Israel to breach a recently signed memorandum of understanding (MOU) that calls for a ceasefire on all fronts. Despite US military denials that the strait had been closed, Trump responded with a stark threat: “You close it and you won’t have a country. You won’t even make it back to your fucking country.”
Trump also weighed in on the Lebanon crisis via social media, writing: “Iran must immediately stop their highly paid proxies in Lebanon from causing trouble … If they don’t, we’ll hit Iran very hard again.” These statements, widely reported and confirmed by Iranian and international media, were cited by Iranian officials as a reason for a temporary pause in the talks, with the Iranian delegation leaving the negotiating site after what state media described as “the publication of an insulting message by the US President.”
Impact on Diplomacy
Trump’s aggressive language and public threats have complicated the delicate diplomatic process. Iranian negotiators refused to return to the main negotiation room, instead communicating through Qatari and Pakistani mediators. Despite this setback, US officials insisted that the talks were ongoing and that technical discussions would continue throughout the week.
The negotiations are focused on several critical issues, including the establishment of a “communication line” to prevent incidents in the Strait of Hormuz and the creation of a “de-confliction cell” with Lebanon’s government to ensure adherence to the ceasefire. The US Treasury is preparing a 60-day waiver to lift sanctions on Iranian oil and petrochemical exports, a move expected to ease economic pressure inside Iran.
Fact-Checking Trump’s Claims
Trump’s assertion that Iran had closed the Strait of Hormuz was directly contradicted by the US military, which denied any closure had taken place. His threats to destroy Iran if the strait were closed represent a significant escalation and have been widely criticized as inflammatory and counterproductive to the negotiation process.
Conclusion
President Trump’s public threats and disparaging remarks have added volatility to already tense US-Iran negotiations in Switzerland. While mediators report progress and a roadmap toward a final deal, Trump’s rhetoric risks undermining diplomatic efforts and escalating regional conflict. As talks continue, the international community will be watching closely to see whether diplomacy can prevail over provocation.
Source: https://www.theguardian.com/world/2026/jun/22/iran-us-talks-progress-pakistan-qatar-lebanon-israel