Hormuz Strait crisis deepens! Tension increased due to Trump’s threat, danger looms on US-Iran talks, will peace be broken between Lebanon dispute and shipping route war?
Bergenstock Resort (Switzerland): The Bergenstock Resort, situated in the beautiful valleys of Switzerland, on Sunday became witness to a strategic battle that has held the breath of the entire world. On one hand, US President Donald Trump’s sharp threats from Washington created a stir in global politics, while on the other hand, behind the closed files of Switzerland, the high-stake peace talks between America and Iran completely faltered.
That secret meeting at midnight… and then everything fell apart!
The first round of this four-party talks, which started under the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), was full of expectations. The US delegation was headed by Vice President JD Vance, who was accompanied by special envoys Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff. On the Iranian side, Foreign Minister Abbas Aragchi and chief negotiator Mohammad Bagheri Ghalibaf were holding the position. Pakistan Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif, Field Marshal Asim Munir and Qatar’s Prime Minister were also present in this general meeting as mediators. Initially, Vice President JD Vance showed a positive attitude, saying that progress has been made on the ceasefire in Lebanon and that President Trump wants to make a new beginning with the people of Iran. But, as soon as the news spread that Trump had issued a very dangerous warning from behind the scenes, there was silence on the negotiating table.
“If the route is closed, your country will not survive!”-Trump’s ultimatum
Trump was furious over Iran’s threat to close the world’s most important oil route, the Strait of Hormuz, in protest against Israeli attacks on Lebanon. Trump issued a direct warning via Fox News and social media: “If you shut this down, your country won’t survive. You guys won’t even be able to go back to your country.” Trump didn’t stop here; He clearly said that if the talks fail, the US Army will directly occupy this strategic waterway. He described the US military as the “guardian angel” of West Asia and said that in return for security, they would collect a heavy ‘toll tax’ of up to 20 percent on the oil cargo of ships passing through there.
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Nuclear threat on Truth Social: “Will hit even harder than last week!”
Tension increased further when Trump, on his social media platform ‘Truth Social’, threatened Iran with a direct military strike against Hezbollah. He wrote that Iran should immediately stop its proxy organizations in Lebanon, otherwise America will again attack Iran which will be many times more destructive than last week. Meanwhile, ground fighting continued in Lebanon despite a ceasefire announced on Friday, prompting Tehran to reimpose tight restrictions on ships passing through the Strait of Hormuz.
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Boycott of photo-op and walkout of Iranian party!
The effect of these statements of Trump was immediately visible in Switzerland. Enraged Iranian officials flatly refused to participate in the traditional photo-op scheduled with their American counterparts. Expressing their deep displeasure over Trump’s recent threats, the Iranian delegation suddenly walked out of the venue. Iranian negotiator Mehdi Ghorbanzadeh told state broadcaster IRIB that there would be no further talks on the nuclear program or any other topic until the situation in Lebanon completely improves and the US releases frozen Iranian assets. At present, these talks seem to be in complete disarray and the world is in danger of a major war.
Is there any hope for peace?
The future of the world’s most important energy route, the security of West Asia and US-Iran relations now seems to depend on this dialogue. But the question is, will this dialogue open the way for peace, or will Trump’s threats and Iran’s tough conditions push the world towards a new geopolitical conflict? The coming hours may reveal this mystery.