Washington: US President Donald Trump on Sunday warned Iran to immediately restrain its Hezbollah-linked proxies in Lebanon, threatening renewed military action against Tehran even as US and Iranian delegations held ongoing talks in Switzerland aimed at reducing regional tensions.
In a post on Truth Social, Trump said Iran must stop its “highly paid PROXIES in Lebanon from causing trouble,” adding that failure to do so would invite stronger strikes, referencing a US attack last week.
His remarks came minutes after the latest round of negotiations began under a memorandum of understanding signed earlier this month, which outlines a 60-day framework for discussions on regional security, the Strait of Hormuz, Iran’s nuclear programme, and broader ceasefires.
The talks, hosted at the Burgenstock resort, involve US and Iranian officials along with mediators Pakistan and Qatar, with key figures including US Vice President JD Vance, Trump’s envoy Steve Witkoff, and Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi.
Vance called the engagement a “historic meeting,” saying progress had been made toward maintaining a fragile Lebanon ceasefire, though he warned the situation remains delicate. He said Washington hopes to reset relations with Iran if destabilising activities end.
Iran, however, is demanding an end to Israeli strikes in Lebanon and fulfillment of promised economic benefits before advancing negotiations.
It has also linked cooperation to disputes over Lebanon and recently reimposed restrictions on the Strait of Hormuz, further complicating the diplomatic process.
