The Iranian delegation involved in the talks in Switzerland has lodged a protest, according to Iranian state media reports. This protest was made when some time ago US President Donald Trump threatened his negotiators.
In a phone call with American media today, Trump said that if no deal is reached with Iran, the US could occupy the Strait of Hormuz. Besides, he also threatened the Iranian delegation present in Switzerland.
Trump said he told Iranian officials, “If you close it (the Strait of Hormuz), we will destroy your country. You won’t even be able to go back to your country.”
Iran threatened
Iran’s chief negotiator Mohammad Bagheri Ghalibaf has warned America not to threaten the Islamic Republic. “Our army is ready to respond,” he said.
After President Donald Trump threatened to attack Iran over its support for Hezbollah, Ghalibaf said, “Doesn’t he think that if his threats had any effect, they would not be in the desperate situation they are in today? We don’t care about American threats.”
He further said, “It would be better for them to be careful about their statements; our forces are ready to respond to them differently. No matter what they say, it is we who actually take action.”
Will the talks fail?
An Iranian news agency reports that if Israel does not withdraw from southern Lebanon, Tehran will halt all negotiations with the US; Whereas Jerusalem has resolved not to do so.
The agency says it has learned that if the first condition of the temporary agreement with Washington is not met, that is, ending the war on all fronts, including in Lebanon, and ensuring Lebanon’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, then the talks will be stopped. According to the news agency, there is no point in talks without implementing the first condition.
What’s going on in Lebanon?
At least seven people, including a child and two elderly people, were killed in Israeli military strikes in Lebanon today, Lebanese state media reported. The Israeli attacks late last week resulted in massive bloodshed, one of the worst to hit the country since the current conflict began. On Sunday, Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz insisted that his country’s military will not retreat from the security zone in Lebanon where it is engaged in a shootout with Hezbollah fighters.
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