Eighteen hours is a long time to sit across the table from someone, only to get up and leave. That’s exactly what Iran’s delegation did during high-stakes negotiations with US officials in Switzerland, with Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf leading his team out of the venue after marathon talks that began on June 21.
The walkout, triggered by what Iranian officials described as hostile remarks from President Trump regarding Iran’s support for Hezbollah, marks another chapter in the long, turbulent history of US-Iran diplomacy.
What happened in Switzerland
The Iranian delegation was led by two of the country’s most senior figures: Parliament Speaker Ghalibaf and Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi. The presence of both officials signaled that Tehran was treating these talks with genuine seriousness, not merely sending mid-level bureaucrats to go through the motions.
The agenda was broad and consequential. Discussions covered Iran’s relationship with Hezbollah, security in the Strait of Hormuz, and the possibility of sanctions relief.
