US-Iran first meeting ends after 80 minutes amid Trump threat; 'preliminary draft on oil sanctions easing' prepared

The initial follow-up meeting between the United States and Iran, held four days after signing a memorandum of understanding, concluded abruptly after approximately 80 minutes. The high-level talks, mediated by Pakistan and Qatar, took place at the Bürgenstock Resort near Lucerne, Switzerland. The disruption reportedly occurred when Iranian delegates departed the meeting room after receiving threatening remarks from former U.S. President Donald Trump.

According to Iran's Tasnim news agency, the Iranian delegation refused to appear alongside the U.S. delegation for joint photo opportunities before the opening remarks, likely to avoid backlash from hardliners within Iran before a final agreement was reached. The four-way meeting was temporarily adjourned for internal consultations after about 80 minutes. However, the atmosphere soured significantly when Trump issued a threat via his Truth Social account, warning of stronger attacks on Iran if it did not immediately halt its proxy forces. This statement angered the Iranian delegation, leading them to leave the room, with IRNA reporting that negotiations had entered a "difficult phase."

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If U.S. threats had any effect, they wouldn't have reached such a desperate situation today. The U.S. should speak carefully. Our military is prepared to respond in kind. No matter what they say, we are the ones who act.

Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf responded on social media, stating that if U.S. threats were effective, they wouldn't be in such a desperate situation. He advised the U.S. to "speak carefully" and warned that Iran's military was prepared to respond in kind. Despite the walkout, mediators like Pakistan's Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi engaged in last-minute talks to persuade the Iranian delegation to remain. Sources familiar with the negotiations indicated that Iran had not formally withdrawn and remained engaged.

While the meeting focused primarily on the issue of Lebanon, as Iran had prioritized, substantive discussions on the future of Iran's nuclear program were reportedly not yet initiated. One Iranian negotiator told Iranian media that there would be no further negotiations on other topics unless the conflict in Lebanon concluded. Separately, progress was noted in economic discussions, with reports suggesting a final draft on temporary U.S. waivers for sanctions on Iranian oil and petroleum products had been completed, along with specific plans for releasing frozen assets.

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There will be no negotiations on other topics unless the war in Lebanon ends.