Iran team protests Trump ‘threats’ as violation of memorandum

Iran’s negotiating team has protested US President Donald Trump’s “threats” during ongoing talks in Switzerland, arguing that the remarks constitute a “violation” of the memorandum of understanding between Tehran and Washington, according to Iran’s Tasnim News Agency. Citing the Iranian delegation, Tasnim reported that Trump’s “threats” represent “a blatant violation” of Article 1 of the memorandum, which requires the US to refrain from issuing threats. The Iranian delegation reportedly departed the venue following the remarks.

Trump’s warnings

Earlier Sunday, Trump urged Iran to “immediately stop their highly paid proxies in Lebanon from causing trouble,” warning that Washington would hit Tehran “very hard again, just like we did last week, only harder.” In a separate Fox News interview, Trump threatened to take over the Strait of Hormuz and collect tolls if no deal is reached. He also warned Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian to “watch his mouth” and said “we’ll take over the rest of the country” if he does not “shape up.”

Talks status

The first round of four‑party talks, with mediation by Qatar and Pakistan, concluded Sunday, according to Iran’s Fars news agency. Axios reported that the Iranian delegation has not left the talks and that discussions are still ongoing. The US side reportedly wants the first round to end with an Iranian invitation for UN inspectors to visit nuclear sites bombed by the US and Israel.