Trump Warns Iran, Takes Strong Stance on Hormuz

Updated: 8:26 PM PKT — June 21, 2026

As negotiations between the US and Iran commenced in Switzerland, US President Donald Trump issued a series of new, severe threats against Tehran. He warned he would ‘destroy Iran’ if a deal is not reached and that the Iranian delegation might not be able to return home. Speaking to reporters, Trump also stated that if Iran closes the Strait of Hormuz, ‘it will not be a country,’ and that the US could take control of the waterway and impose fees.

Trump characterized the current talks not as a deal but as a ‘temporary extension of a ceasefire,’ asserting that he could do as he pleased after 60 days. The talks are being attended by Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir. PM Sharif credited Trump’s ‘statesmanlike leadership’ for enabling the negotiations and highlighted Field Marshal Munir’s important role in the process.

Updated: 7:25 PM PKT — June 21, 2026

As US-Iran peace talks commenced in Switzerland, US President Donald Trump issued a stark warning to Tehran. In a message on his Truth Social platform, Trump threatened to “hit Iran very hard again” if it did not “immediately stop their highly paid PROXIES in Lebanon from causing trouble.”

The threat is a direct reference to Hezbollah, whose recent clashes with Israel are reportedly jeopardizing the preliminary peace deal between Washington and Tehran.

Updated: 5:47 PM PKT — June 21, 2026

Iran has identified its top priorities for the ongoing talks with the United States in Switzerland, an Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman announced. The most critical topics for Tehran are the ongoing tensions in Lebanon involving Israel and Hezbollah, and what Iran calls Israel’s continuous ceasefire violations.

In addition to the situation in Lebanon, Iran will push for the release of its frozen financial assets held abroad and the easing of related sanctions. The spokesman also confirmed that securing permits and licenses for the sale of Iranian oil to remove export obstacles is a key item on the negotiation agenda.