Trump warns of more attacks on Iran while Vance promotes diplomacy

• Trump threatened new attacks on Iran.
• Iran talks in Switzerland faced major tension.
• Iranian negotiators walked out after Trump’s comments.
• Bipartisan criticism emerged over the Iran deal.
• Chicago violence renewed debate over military intervention.

President Donald Trump threatened to restart military action against Iran even as vice president JD Vance met with Iranian officials in Switzerland to continue peace talks.

The negotiations took place in Bürgenstock and were overshadowed by Tehran’s announcement that it had again closed the Strait of Hormuz. Iranian officials said the move was linked to ongoing Israeli strikes in southern Lebanon.

On Sunday (21), Trump posted a warning on his Truth Social platform. In an apparent reference to the Tehran-backed Hezbollah militia in Lebanon, he wrote: “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 also spoke to Fox News, where he issued additional threats toward Iran. He warned that the United States could take control of the Strait of Hormuz and appeared to threaten the Iranian negotiators.

“You close it and you won’t have a country. You won’t even make it back to your fucking country,” Trump said.

The remarks created immediate tension during the talks. Iranian negotiators walked out of the discussions in protest, according to reports.

Trump’s comments stood in contrast to the message coming from Vance. The vice president described the first round of direct talks between the United States and Iran as productive. He said Trump had directed him to use the negotiations to help turn over a “new leaf” with Iran.

Iranian state media reported that the negotiations entered a “difficult phase” after what it described as the publication of an insulting message from the president.

Following the walkout, members of the Iranian delegation reportedly met with Qatari mediators before leaving the negotiation site.

Despite the disruption, diplomatic efforts continued. High-level discussions went on through the night and concluded early Monday morning (22).

Pakistan and Qatar later announced that technical talks between the United States and Iran would continue throughout the week.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi praised the efforts of Pakistan and Qatar. Early Monday (22), he said the two countries had “delivered major progress” through their mediation efforts.

Meanwhile, Trump’s provisional agreement with Iran faced criticism from both Republicans and Democrats.

Outgoing Republican Senator John Cornyn highlighted concerns by sharing a line from a Wall Street Journal article discussing how rogue governments can avoid the effects of US economic pressure.

Democratic figure Susan Rice also criticized the agreement. She had previously described the US-Iran deal as a “horrific surrender” by Trump. She later called it “egregious,” arguing that “so many concessions were granted up front.”

The debate over Iran was not the only issue drawing attention on Sunday.

Trump also addressed concerns about the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool in Washington, DC. The site has experienced algae blooms and peeling paint following a controversial renovation connected to preparations for America’s 250th anniversary celebrations next month.

The president said the reflecting pool would “probably” be drained so repairs could be completed.

In Chicago, city officials reported a violent weekend. Police said at least seven people had been killed and dozens more injured in multiple shootings since Friday.

The violence prompted Trump to renew his call for military involvement in the city.

In a post on Truth Social, the president questioned why Illinois Governor JB Pritzker had not supported military deployment in Chicago.

The issue has become part of Trump’s broader focus on crime and public safety in major American cities.

Attention also remained focused on Memphis, Tennessee, where a federal anti-crime task force has been operating for nine months under Trump’s orders.

A small group of local observers has been monitoring the task force’s activities.

The observers have accused federal agents of intimidation and aggressive tactics. Their concerns are reflected in a lawsuit filed by the American Civil Liberties Union of Tennessee.

According to the lawsuit, agents are accused of following vehicles, surveilling homes, and even “falsely arrested” one community observer.

The allegations have raised questions about how the task force operates and how its actions affect local communities.

As tensions continue abroad and domestic controversies grow, Trump’s administration faces scrutiny on multiple fronts, from Middle East diplomacy to crime policy at home.