While talks opened in Switzerland in the round of negotiations between the United States and Iran, President Donald Trump issued a series of threats towards Tehran: he threatened to take control of the Strait of Hormuz and warned that if Iran does not curb its proxies in Lebanon, the US "will hit it again, only harder.".
According to a report in Iranian media, the Iranian delegation was furious with the American delegation following US President Donald Trump's threats - and is now "considering its steps.".
Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf addressed the threats - and issued a threat of his own: "They better be careful with their words. Our armed forces are ready to respond to them in a completely different way. They can keep talking as much as they want, we are the ones who act.".
According to a report by the Iranian Tasnim News Agency, the country's negotiating team left the negotiation complex - in protest of President Trump's threats.
The President's Threats:
""This is not a deal with the Iranian regime, this is just an extension of the ceasefire. I hold the cards. If the Iranians do not fulfill their commitments at the negotiating table, I have a 60-day option - and then I will do what I want," he said. Trump also referred to the possibility of Iran closing the Strait of Hormuz, saying: "We may have to take control of the Strait of Hormuz. We are the guardian angel of the East.".
Trump claimed that he spoke with Iranian officials and delivered a sharp message to them: "If you close the Strait of Hormuz - you will not have a country" - and added: "You will not even survive the way back to your country.".
In response to the Iranian president's words, according to which "we will not give up our right to enrich, and you will have to accept that," Trump fumed: "He better keep his mouth shut, he better get his act together - or we'll take over the rest of the country.".
On Lebanon and Hezbollah:
Trump demanded that Iran "immediately stop its proxies in Lebanon from causing trouble." He threatened that if Iran did not do so, the US would "hit Iran again with great force." He said the attack would be "exactly like we did last week - only harder.".
Trump said he also wants Hezbollah to be subdued: "I'm disappointed that Israel can't move Hezbollah. They can't do anything without blowing up a few buildings,",
He said he is close to "giving the handling of Hezbollah to Syria. I believe he will do a more precise job in terms of how he will deal with Hezbollah.".
