Iran Storms Out Of US Peace Talks After Trump Strait Threat Fragile peace talks between the United States and Iran were thrown into turmoil on Sunday after Iranian negotiators reportedly walked out of negotiations with Vice President JD Vance following fresh threats from President Donald Trump. Iranian state-linked media claimed Tehran's delegation abandoned the talks in Switzerland in protest after Trump warned the US could seize the Strait of Hormuz if a final agreement is not reached. Trump Escalates Pressure On TehranAccording to reports, Trump delivered a blunt message to Iranian officials during an interview with Fox News. The president reportedly warned that if Iran attempts to shut down the Strait of Hormuz again, the consequences would be severe. "You close it and you won't have a country," Trump reportedly said. He also suggested the United States could take control of the strategic waterway if necessary and even charge tolls on shipping passing through it. The comments marked a sharp escalation just days after Washington and Tehran signed an interim agreement aimed at ending nearly four months of conflict. Iranian Delegation Walks OutIran's Tasnim news agency claimed an Iranian negotiator left the meeting venue after Trump's remarks became public. The reported walkout threatens to derail the 60-day negotiating process agreed under the interim peace framework signed earlier this week. Neither Washington nor Tehran immediately confirmed whether talks had fully collapsed. Strait Of Hormuz Back At The Centre Of The CrisisThe Strait of Hormuz remains one of the world's most strategically important shipping lanes. Roughly a quarter of global seaborne oil trade typically passes through the narrow waterway, making it a critical artery for international energy markets. During the conflict, disruptions to traffic through the strait helped drive oil prices sharply higher and pushed US fuel prices above $4 per gallon. Iran recently claimed it had again closed the strait in response to Israeli military operations in Lebanon. However, US military officials have rejected Tehran's assertion that it controls the waterway, insisting commercial traffic continues to move through the passage. Peace Deal Already Under StrainThe days-old agreement between Washington and Tehran was designed to halt fighting and create space for negotiations on several contentious issues. Diplomatic sources say the discussions focus on three major areas: Iran's nuclear programme Security in Lebanon Freedom of navigation through the Strait of Hormuz But continued clashes between Israel and the Iran-backed militant group Hezbollah have already placed additional pressure on the process. Vance Insists Diplomacy Can Still WorkBefore reports of the Iranian walkout emerged, Vance struck an optimistic tone while speaking to reporters in Switzerland. The vice president said the United States remained committed to securing a wider regional ceasefire. "Peace is never easy," Vance said. "Peace always requires a little bit of work. It always requires a little bit of give and take." He acknowledged disagreements remained but argued that direct talks offered the best opportunity to resolve them. Critical Talks Hang In The BalanceThe reported collapse of Sunday's session highlights just how fragile the peace process remains. With tensions rising over Lebanon, Iran's nuclear programme and the future of the Strait of Hormuz, negotiators now face a race against time to prevent the region sliding back toward open conflict. For now, a deal remains alive — but after Sunday's dramatic confrontation, its future looks far less certain. SOURCE
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