Iran Protests Trump Threats as Violating Peace Memorandum During Swiss Talks
Reporting based primarily on dawn.com.
Iran's negotiating team protested US President Donald Trump's threats issued during high-level peace talks in Switzerland, stating that the comments violate a signed Memorandum of Understanding between Tehran and Washington. The episode has underscored Iran tensions as four-party discussions seek to finalize a framework agreement.
Talks Open in Switzerland
Closed-door quadripartite negotiations between the US and Iran kicked off in Burgenstock, with Qatar and Pakistan participating in a mediatory role. [3] The technical-level talks seek to iron out the details of a Memorandum of Understanding signed between Tehran and Washington to cease hostilities and negotiate a framework to end the war. [3] Under the agreement, the US and Iran have agreed on a framework to end the war, lift the US blockade of Iran and reopen the Strait of Hormuz. [3] Also on the table will be discussions about the unfreezing of Iranian assets and sale of Iranian oil. [3]
Addressing the opening ceremony ahead of the closed-door talks, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif hoped for an outcome that would ensure peace, progress and prosperity globally. [3] PM Shehbaz said he was looking forward to productive talks, and expressed satisfaction that the joint efforts of everyone involved in the peace process had culminated in the meet in Burgenstock. [3] “I think here we are going to have wonderful discussions which will lead to, hopefully, very productive results in times to come,” he said. [3] He thanked US President Trump and VP JD Vance for their leadership, and praised Chief of Defence Forces Field Marshal Asim Munir for his consistent efforts, perseverance and patience during the mediation process. [3]
Qatari Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani also speaking at the opening ceremony, thanked both the US and Iranian delegations for their efforts to make peace in the Middle East. [3] “I think that everyone of you has highlighted how important and historic this is, not only on the security of the region but also for the security of the world and for the global economy,” the Qatari PM said. [3] “I would like to thank all of you for your leadership and determination that put us in this room. This is not really the main celebration, this is just the beginning and I wish everyone all the best,” Al Thani said. [3] He added that Qatar would remain dedicated to the partnership to support mediation efforts until a solution is reached. [3] Before the start of their remarks, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi briefly walked into the room and embraced PM Shehbaz. [3] “He was there just a short time before walking out again and did not during that time interact with Vance, who was on the other side of the room,” the White House Press Pool Reports said. [3] The media were ushered out of the meeting room as the talks began. [3]
Trump Issues Threats on Lebanon and Hormuz
As the talks began, US President Donald Trump in a post on Truth Social had threatened Iran over unrest in Lebanon, one of the key issues on the table during today’s talks. [3] “Iran must immediately stop their highly paid PROXIES in Lebanon from causing trouble. If they don’t, we’ll hit Iran very hard again, just like we did last week, only harder!!!” he said. [3] Separately in an interview with Fox News, the US president issued threats over the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, claiming that he maintains “a variety of options” at his disposal. [3] Trump urged Tehran to “immediately stop their highly paid proxies in Lebanon from causing trouble” or Washington will hit Iran “very hard again.” [1] Iran's negotiating team protests Trump ‘threats,’ says they violate memorandum of understanding. [5]
Iran Protests Violations of Understanding
Iran's negotiating team protests Trump ‘threats,’ says they violate memorandum of understanding. [1] Roughly 80 minutes into the talks, Iranian media reported a pause, with delegations withdrawing to hold internal consultations. [3] Following the pause, Iran’s chief negotiator Bagher Ghalibaf in a statement on X dismissed US threats, cautioning Washington to “be careful”. [3] He vowed that Tehran stood “ready to respond”. [3] Iran's negotiating team protested Trump ‘threats,’ says they violate memorandum of understanding. [5]
Pakistani Premier Praises Iranian Approach
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif while speaking to the press in Burgenstock praised the Iranian delegation’s cool-headedness, dignity and attempts at de-escalation. [3] “I think they genuinely mean to promote peace in the region,” PM Shehbaz said of the Iranian leadership, adding, “So does President Trump.” [3] “I have no second thoughts about the fact that he is a man of peace — He has demonstrated that during the war between Pakistan and India,” he said. [3] The premier was optimistic about the “renewed friendship” with the US, and hoped it would grow into a relationship of close coordination and cooperation between the two countries. [3] Iranian side 'very straight', handled crisis to de-escalate: Pakistani Premier Sharif. [4] 'They genuinely mean promoting peace in the region,' Shehbaz Sharif tells reporters in Switzerland. [4]
US Vision for Transformed Relations
US Vice President JD Vance told the press that “peace requires give and take”. [3] “This is a historic meet. Never before have Iranian and American leadership met at such a high level outside of Islamabad,” he said. [3] “What today really represents is the beginning of a technical negotiation that’s not going to solve every disagreement, but is going to allow us to sit together as teams, for the first time really in history, to figure out what matters most to the respective parties, to settle those issues, to solve those issues, and get to a better tomorrow,” he told reporters. [3] “The reason why the political leadership of the respective countries is here is because we wanted to, first of all, set up the structure for these technical negotiations, and second of all, make sure that our teams have our full support and know they can always call on us to break through any barriers.” [3] Thanking US President Donald Trump “for empowering us to find a diplomatic solution”, Vance said a great deal had “already been accomplished” and the team looked forward to seeing “how much more we can accomplish together”. [3] “Can we change relations in the Middle East, or do we go back to doing things the old way?” he said. [3] “Where Iran and the Gulf have had an unfriendly relationship, or Iran has been a driver of regional instability? We see a future where everyone can work together to promote peace and prosperity for everyone.” [3] Vance said Trump is committed to a “full regional ceasefire”, including Lebanon. [3] These kinds of ceasefires are always “a little bit messy”, but they had seen progress over the last few days, he added. [3] Vance also shared appreciation for PM Shehbaz and CDF Munir, saying: “I have joked that I have two very, very important people in my life. An Indian and a Pakistani. The Indian is my wife, and the Pakistani is Field Marshal Munir,” he said, adding that he had “probably talked to Field Marshal Munir more than anyone else over the last few months”. [3] “If Iran is willing to give up nuclear weapon ambitions for the long term, the US is willing to transform relations with them,” he said. [3] The president, he said, had urged him to “turn over a new leaf to transform our relationship with the people of Iran, and to extend an outstretched hand”. [3]
Qatar's Mediation Role and Next Steps
In a statement, the Qatari foreign ministry announced “the launch of the Lucerne Lake Summit and the first high-level committee meeting” between the four sides, which it hoped would “lead to reaching a comprehensive and permanent agreement that addresses all aspects covered by the Memorandum of Understanding.” [3] The Qatari foreign ministry spokesman Dr Majed bin Mohammed Al-Ansari stated that “technical and specialised groups have been formed to negotiate the final agreement’s clauses, which will cover all aspects of the Memorandum of Understanding.” [3] “Additionally, follow-up groups have been established to oversee the implementation of the memorandum and track the progress achieved toward reaching the final agreement, reflecting the commitment of all parties to proceed in the negotiation process in good faith and with the goal of reaching a comprehensive and sustainable agreement.” [3] He emphasized that the State of Qatar, as one of the mediating countries, will continue to work with the Islamic Republic of Pakistan and all concerned parties to create a positive environment that enables the negotiations to achieve their goals, based on its firm belief that dialogue and diplomacy represent the optimal path for conflict resolution and dispute settlement. [3] The Qatari foreign ministry spokesperson also appreciated the “important role” played by Pakistan as a partner and mediator, praising Islamabad’s “documented and continuous efforts in supporting the negotiation process”. [3] He also expressed appreciation for Washington and Tehran’s commitment.
What to watch next: Technical and specialised groups have been formed to negotiate the final agreement’s clauses, which will cover all aspects of the Memorandum of Understanding, with follow-up groups established to oversee implementation.
