Iran Rejects Handshake, Photo-Op With US; Walks out of Switzerland Talks After Donald Trump’s Threat (Watch Videos)
The first round of US-Iran talks in Switzerland faced early setbacks after Iranian officials refused to participate in a planned photo opportunity with American delegates and later left the venue in protest over President Donald Trump's military warning regarding Hezbollah. Despite a brief encounter between senior officials, tensions underscored the challenges facing the negotiations.
The opening round of high-level talks between Iran and the United States in Switzerland encountered immediate diplomatic friction on Sunday, June 21, after Iranian officials refused to participate in a planned photo opportunity with American delegates and later left the venue following fresh military threats from US President Donald Trump.
The negotiations, held at the Burgenstock resort, brought together representatives from Iran, the United States, Pakistan and Qatar under the framework of the recently signed Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding (MoU). The talks are viewed as a significant step in efforts to address regional tensions and advance discussions on security and nuclear-related issues. 'Stop Your Proxies in Lebanon or We'll Hit Iran Again': Donald Trump's Stark Warning to Tehran.
Iran Rejects Handshake, Photo-Op With US
Iran refuses photo-op with US negotiators
Diplomatic tensions were on full display in Switzerland as Iran's delegation declined to take part in a planned handshake and joint photo session with US negotiators during talks aimed at ending the conflict in West Asia
Iranian… pic.twitter.com/y8pXZQ9zF3
— Nabila Jamal (@nabilajamal_) June 21, 2026
Iran Rejects Planned Photo Opportunity
According to Iran's Tasnim news agency, organizers had arranged a handshake and joint photo session involving members of the Iranian and American delegations before formal discussions began. However, Iranian chief negotiator Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf and Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi reportedly declined to participate.
Iranian officials informed organizers that they would not join any public photo opportunity with the US delegation, describing the proposed event as an American "media show." The decision highlighted the continuing diplomatic sensitivities between the two countries despite ongoing negotiations. Why US and Iran Chose Switzerland As Middle Ground for Talks.
Donald Trump's Threats Trigger Further Tensions
The atmosphere surrounding the talks became more strained after President Trump issued a warning to Tehran regarding Hezbollah's activities in Lebanon.
"Iran must immediately stop their highly paid PROXIES in Lebanon from causing trouble. If they don't, we'll hit Iran very hard again, just like we did last week, only harder!!!" Trump wrote on Truth Social.
Shortly after the remarks were published, Tasnim reported that the Iranian delegation left the talks venue in protest. According to a source cited by Press TV, Iranian negotiators formally conveyed their objections to the American side.
"The Iranian delegation has raised its objections to the American side and is currently assessing the conditions to give a proper response to Trump's verbal threats," the source said.
Despite the tensions, senior officials from both countries briefly found themselves in the same room during the opening stages of the talks. Video footage from the venue showed Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi entering a room where US Vice President JD Vance and members of the American delegation, including special envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, were present.
Araghchi departed shortly afterwards, and no formal meeting between the two sides was announced. The moment attracted attention because it represented one of the highest-level direct encounters involving senior Iranian and American officials in recent years.
The talks also included Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Qatari mediators, both of whom have played roles in facilitating regional diplomatic efforts. Before discussions began, Sharif was seen greeting and embracing Araghchi near members of the US delegation, underscoring the complex diplomatic dynamics at the venue. Pakistan and Qatar are expected to continue serving as intermediaries as negotiations move forward.
The opening day developments highlighted the challenges facing negotiators despite recent efforts to establish a framework for broader engagement. While the talks were intended to build on the recently signed Islamabad MoU, Sunday's disagreements over protocol and Trump's remarks exposed lingering distrust between Tehran and Washington.
It remains unclear whether the Iranian delegation's protest will affect the broader negotiating process, but the incident underscored the fragile nature of the discussions at a time of heightened tensions across the Middle East.
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jun 21, 2026 11:07 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).
