Iran delegation leaves Bürgenstock peace talks building after Trump's 'insulting' post
Iran's negotiators walked out of the Bürgenstock peace talks venue on Sunday after Donald Trump posted a threat on Truth Social to resume US strikes if Tehran failed to restrain Hezbollah in Lebanon. Diplomats say Iran has not communicated any intention to abandon the process.
The incident
The Iranian delegation left the building where talks were under way after about 80 minutes of discussions, the state-run Irna news agency reported. The agency described the US president's social media post as "insulting". The negotiations, launched on Sunday at the hotel overlooking Lake Lucerne, are mediated by Pakistan and Qatar.
Trump's threat and Iran's response
On Truth Social, Trump demanded that Iran "immediately prevent its highly paid affiliated groups in Lebanon from causing problems". He added:
If they don't, we will hit Iran very hard again, like we did last week, if not even harder.
Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, the chief Iranian negotiator, replied on X that the United States "would do better to weigh their words; our armed forces are ready to respond otherwise".
Mediation and remaining engagement
Despite the walkout, an anonymous diplomat told AFP that the delegation "has not communicated to the mediators any intention to leave" and remains "engaged" in the negotiations. The protocol of agreement signed remotely last Wednesday by Trump and Iranian President Massoud Pezeshkian explicitly commits both sides to "refrain from the threat or use of force against the other".
Timeline of the conflict and diplomacy
- Israeli-US strikes on Iran ignite Middle East conflict, causing thousands of deaths.
- Trump and Pezeshkian sign protocol of agreement remotely, pledging to refrain from threat or use of force.
- Negotiations open at Bürgenstock, Switzerland. After 80 minutes, Trump posts threat on Truth Social.
- Iranian delegation leaves the building but stays engaged; talks continue under mediation.
US presence and Vance's remarks
US Vice President JD Vance attended the opening and told reporters the talks were expected to last "a few days", though he could only stay "a day or two". Trump envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, the president's son-in-law, were also present. Vance said:
These are historic negotiations, and we hope to turn a new page.
