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Iran cautioned the United States on Sunday to “be careful” following President Donald Trump’s warning of potential strikes against the Islamic republic due to its backing of Hezbollah, while the long-standing adversaries engaged in discussions in Switzerland aiming to reach a lasting resolution to the Middle East conflict.

The talks aimed at ending a conflict that caused turmoil throughout the Middle East and affected the world economy are designed to initiate a 60-day phase for addressing long-standing problems in US-Iranian relations.

However, disputes regarding critical issues and the risk of renewed conflict in Lebanon affected the discussions, as Washington and Tehran exchanged warnings simultaneously with the talks.

“They would be wiser to be cautious with their remarks; our military is prepared to react to them in a different way. Regardless of what they say, it is we who take action,” said Iran’s lead negotiator Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf.

U.S. President Donald Trump warned of attacking Iran if it did not “quickly halt their well-compensated agents in Lebanon from creating issues.”

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, on the other hand, stated again that forces will stay in southern Lebanon “as long as needed.”

Netanyahu also reaffirmed his commitment to “prevent Iran from obtaining nuclear weapons,” while Iran’s state media reported that the nuclear program was not addressed on Sunday.

“The network stated that no discussions about Iran’s nuclear program occurred during the initial 80-minute session of talks,” the broadcaster noted, mentioning that it remains uncertain if the conversations will proceed or be put on hold.

It mentioned that the emphasis was placed on the execution of the memorandum of understanding between Tehran and Washington, as well as the conditions in Lebanon, noting that the Iranian delegation refused to start the meeting until the media personnel exited the room.

U.S. Vice President JD Vance previously voiced optimism about starting a “new chapter” during the discussions.

Surrounded by U.S. negotiators Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff at the upscale Swiss resort Burgenstock, Vance called it “a historic gathering,” and remarked: “The issue we face now is how much further can we achieve together?”

Can we start afresh? Can we make the relationships in the Middle East last for good?

Or do we return to handling things the traditional method, which isn’t our choice, but it’s definitely something that could occur.

Sticking points

Negotiations aimed at ending the prolonged conflict are occurring while Iran reopens the vital Strait of Hormuz following recent Israeli strikes on Lebanon.

“It is impossible to proceed to the negotiation stage for a final agreement” without an end to the conflict in Lebanon, stated Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baqaei on X.

A memorandum of understanding between Washington and Tehran, signed this week, contained a clause aimed at halting hostilities in Lebanon between Israel and Hezbollah.

However, there have been ongoing conflicts in Lebanon since then, leading Iran to announce it would close the vital oil and gas trade route again, having previously opened it as part of the agreement.

By Sunday night, there were still no accounts of Israeli attacks or ongoing conflict, as some inhabitants of southern Lebanon began to cautiously return to their residences.

Besides Lebanon, there is no sign that Iran’s backing of militant groups throughout the region, which has consistently provoked the United States and Israel, will be discussed during the talks.

On Sunday, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian stated that Tehran will not give up its right to enrich uranium, while reiterating Iran’s claim that it does not seek nuclear weapons.

“We can also confirm in writing that we have no plans to construct a bomb,” he mentioned on the presidential website.

Meanwhile, Baqaei stated that the release of Iranian assets and “granting the required permits for the sale of Iranian oil will also be discussed.”

READ ALSO: Iran Warns the US to ‘Be Careful’ Following Trump’s Threat

Lebanon fighting

The conflict between Israel and Hezbollah, ignited by the Tehran-aligned militant organization’s attacks on Israel in solidarity with Iran within the broader conflict, has consistently jeopardized peace initiatives.

On Friday, scheduled U.S.-Iranian discussions were delayed when Israel carried out fatal attacks in Lebanon, following the death of four of its troops in the region.

The head of Israel’s military traveled to soldiers in southern Lebanon on Sunday, stating that Hezbollah was facing a “very challenging situation.”

” Hezbollah has faced a major and impactful setback, and we are determined to stay ready to keep functioning and stop its recovery,” said Lieutenant General Eyal Zamir, as stated in a military report.

The total number of fatalities resulting from the conflict in Lebanon has now gone beyond 4,100, according to the health ministry.

AFP

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