US President Donald Trump issued a stern warning to Iran on Sunday, threatening military action if Tehran does not halt Hezbollah activities in Lebanon, as peace negotiations between senior US and Iranian officials commenced in Switzerland. The talks began amid escalating violence between Israeli forces and Hezbollah fighters in southern Lebanon, casting uncertainty over a preliminary agreement aimed at de-escalating regional conflict.
Trump’s comments were posted on his Truth Social platform, where he urged Iran to “immediately stop their highly paid proxies in Lebanon from causing trouble,” adding that failure to comply would result in a harsher US military response than recent strikes. The president referenced airstrikes carried out by Israel on Saturday in eastern and southern Lebanon, which reportedly killed at least 30 people. Despite the clashes, Israeli forces paused operations later that evening following orders to halt fighting with Hezbollah.
The discussions in Switzerland follow the signing of a memorandum of understanding last Wednesday between the United States and Iran. The agreement includes provisions calling for a cessation of hostilities across multiple fronts, including Lebanon. The talks are taking place at the Burgenstock resort near Lake Lucerne and feature US Vice-President JD Vance leading the American delegation alongside negotiators Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi and chief negotiator Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf are heading Tehran’s team.
Vance described the negotiations as “historic,” expressing optimism about progress, particularly regarding the ceasefire’s durability in Lebanon. “We’re all working toward regional peace,” he said, noting positive developments in recent days. He credited the Trump administration with significant contributions toward mitigating conflict in Lebanon, emphasizing hopes to reset US-Iran relations through the talks. Pakistan and Qatar are serving as mediators, with a planned seating arrangement underscoring their roles alongside the American and Iranian delegations.
Meanwhile, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reaffirmed Israel’s commitment to maintaining a military presence in southern Lebanon. Addressing the situation, Netanyahu stated that Israeli forces would remain “as long as necessary” to protect northern Israeli communities. He also reiterated Israel’s determination to prevent Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons, underscoring ongoing security concerns despite diplomatic efforts.
As negotiations proceed, tensions on the ground in Lebanon and the broader Middle East remain high, highlighting the complexities facing diplomats striving to broker enduring peace in the region.