LUCERNE, Switzerland -- US President Donald Trump threatened to hit Iran "very hard again" over its "proxies" in Lebanon, as high-level talks are now under way between US Vice President JD Vance and Iranian representatives at the Burgenstock resort in Switzerland on June 21.
"Iran must immediately stop their highly paid PROXIES in Lebanon from causing trouble," Trump posted on social media, referring to Iran-backed Hezbollah, which has been exchanging fire with Israel.
"If they don't, we'll hit Iran very hard again, just like we did last week, only harder!!!” the US president wrote.
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Analysis: Could A Fragile Wartime Memorandum Turn Into A Broader Political Settlement?Hezbollah is both a militant group and political party that controls much of southern Lebanon. It is considered a terrorist organization by the United States, although the European Union has only blacklisted its armed wing.
In response to Trump's comments, Iranian parliament speaker and top negotiator Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf warned Washington against making threats toward Tehran, vowing that the country's military was "ready to respond."
"They would do better to be careful with their statements; our armed forces are ready to respond to them in a different manner. No matter what they say, we are the ones who act," Qalibaf said.
Neither Israel nor Lebanon is directly represented in the talks in Switzerland, which are aimed at finalizing a memorandum of understanding to end the war between the United States and Iran that began nearly four months ago and reopen the Strait of Hormuz.
Trump's post came shortly after Vance hailed the talks in Switzerland as "a historic meeting," saying the goal was to "turn over a new leaf to transform our relationship with the people of Iran, and to extend an outstretched hand."
"Outside the last few months, never before have the Iranian and American leadership met at such a high level," Vance said at the talks.
He said, US negotiators were in Switzerland to, "through diplomacy, through working together, transform the Middle East, where Iran and the Gulf have been at war with each other."
"We see a future where everybody can work together to promote peace and prosperity for everyone," he added.
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Regional Escalation Could Undermine Diplomatic TrackThe timing is critical.
The United States and Lebanon announced on June 19 that the next round of Lebanese-Israeli talks will be held next week in Washington, as Beirut and Tel Aviv agreed to renew a fragile cease-fire.
At the same time, Lebanese authorities say Israeli strikes killed 67 people over the past 48 hours, while Hezbollah attacks left five Israeli soldiers dead. Israel has since paused operations, but Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has vowed retaliation for any future threats.
Israeli Minister Israel Katz said on June 21 that Israeli soldiers are free to act without restriction to eliminate threats in Lebanon, adding that troops remained in position in what Israel refers to as a security zone.
That raises the possibility that even as Washington and Tehran negotiate, regional escalation could undermine the diplomatic track.
The Strait of Hormuz remains another major fault line. US and Iranian officials continue to dispute whether the waterway -- vital for global energy markets -- is fully open, a disagreement analysts say Tehran may use as leverage throughout the talks.
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Iran Under Pressure To Act As Fighting In Lebanon ContinuesOn the eve of the talks in Switzerland, Iran’s military announced that it was again closing the Strait of Hormuz to all shipping in response to the ceasefire violations in Lebanon.
Citing a source close to the Iranian negotiating team, Tasnim News reported on June 21 that Tehran would not allow the Strait of Hormuz to be fully reopened until Israeli military actions in southern Lebanon are halted and the agreed cease-fire commitments are upheld.
“The Strait of Hormuz will not be opened without restraining Israel in Lebanon, and lifting the naval blockade is not enough to reopen this waterway,” the agency quoted the source as saying.
"It's a card the Iranians are likely to keep playing," said one regional analyst close to the negotiations.