US Iran Peace Talk: Iran’s Walkout Leaves Pakistan Stunned as JD Vance Watches

By Aditya Nagar | June 22, 2026

US Iran Peace Talk: The first round of talks between Iran and the US in Switzerland started off tense on Sunday.

Iran refused to join a planned photo session with US officials and later left the venue to protest President Donald Trump's recent threat of military action against Tehran.

The talks were held at the Burgenstock resort, where Iran, the US, Pakistan, and Qatar met for the first round of negotiations under the new Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding (MoU).

US Iran Peace Talk: Iranian Delegation Abruptly Exits Meeting Following Refusal to Engage with US Officials

According to a report by Iran's Tasnim news agency, organisers and the US delegation had arranged a handshake and a group photo before the talks.

But Iranian chief negotiator Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf and Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi refused to join and left.

A video shows Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi quietly giving a message to Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif before suddenly leaving the room with the Iranian delegation.

Sharif looks surprised by the exchange. Soon after, he gestures to Pakistan Army Chief Asim Munir, who is standing next to him. As the mood grows tense, the camera shows US Vice President JD Vance watching nearby.

Vance then walks over to Sharif and Munir, and the three have a brief discussion, apparently about Araghchi’s sudden exit and the message he delivered.

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Iran Walkout from US Talks: US and Iranian Officials Cross Paths in Tense Encounter at International Summit

US Iran Peace Talk: Later, Iranian officials told organizers they would not join any photo session with the delegation, calling it an American "media show."

Despite the tensions, Iranian and American officials were briefly in the same room.

Video from the venue showed Araghchi entering a room where US Vice President JD Vance and his team, including Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, were present.

The Iranian foreign minister greeted Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif with a handshake and a hug, and they spoke briefly. Vance looked at Araghchi before turning away. Araghchi left soon after.

This moment was notable because it was one of the highest-level direct meetings between officials from the two countries in years.

Trump Threatens Iran: US President Warns Iran Over Hezbollah as Diplomatic Tensions Mount

US Iran Peace Talk: Tensions rose after Trump warned Tehran to control Hezbollah in Lebanon or face new US military action.

In Lebanon, they are accused of causing trouble.

In a post on Truth Social, Donald Trump warned that if Iran failed to comply, the United States would launch another strike, describing it as even more forceful than last week's operation.

Later, Iran's Tasnim reported that the Iranian delegation left the talks to protest the US President's comments.

A source quoted by Press TV said Iranian negotiators had officially raised objections with the American side.

US Iran Latest Update: Iranian Delegation Weighs Response to Trump Threats Amid High-Stakes Talks on Sanctions and War

US Iran Peace Talk: According to the source, the Iranian delegation has expressed its concerns to the American side and is assessing the circumstances before formulating an official response to President Trump's verbal threats.

The first round of talks lasted about 80 minutes before the Iranian delegation left for internal discussions.

According to state media, Iran's Foreign Ministry spokesperson said the talks focused on ending the war, easing sanctions, and releasing frozen Iranian funds.

JD Vance Iran Meeting: High-Level Delegation Convenes in Pakistan for Strategic Talks on Islamabad Memorandum

Iran US Switzerland Talks: US Vice President JD Vance led the US delegation, which also included Special Envoy for Peace Jared Kushner and Special Envoy Steve Witkoff.

Pakistan's Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Army Chief Field Marshal Asim Munir, along with Qatar Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, helped mediate the four-way talks.

US Iran Latest News: Iran Reports Progress on Oil Sanction Waivers and Unfreezing of Assets Amid Diplomatic Push

US Iran Peace Talk: Spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei said Tehran's main goal was to make sure Washington meets its obligations under the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding.

Despite the tensions, there were signs of possible progress. A member of Iran's negotiating team told state media that steps to release frozen Iranian funds had started, with help from Qatar.

The official also said a draft to waive Iranian oil sanctions was finished and that such waivers might be issued soon.

Strait of Hormuz Crisis

Shipping through the Strait of Hormuz dropped sharply on Sunday after Iran closed the waterway, claiming that Israel and the U.S. had violated the interim peace deal, according to shipping data.

Only five ships passed through that day, compared to 26 the day before, based on data from analytics firm Kpler.

Oil prices rose on Monday as traffic slowed and talks between U.S. and Iranian officials under the peace deal got off to a difficult start.

Brent crude futures increased by 54 cents, or 0.67%, to $81.11 a barrel by 0030 GMT, after reaching $82.30 earlier in the session.

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