Iran Summons Swiss Envoy Over Trump’s “Unlawful” Threats

By Kamaran Aziz

ERBIL (Kurdistan 24) — In the wake of renewed hostilities and a warning of “bombing” by the US President Donald Trump, Iran has issued a firm diplomatic warning, vowing swift and decisive retaliation against any perceived threat to its national sovereignty. The announcement comes amid escalating tensions triggered by Trump’s explicit threats of bombing Iran should a new nuclear deal fail to materialize.

In a phone interview on Sunday with NBC News, Trump delivered a stark warning, saying that military action against Iran was a real possibility if Tehran refused to reach an agreement with Washington on its nuclear program. He also suggested that the United States might reintroduce secondary tariffs against Iran.

Additionally, Trump confirmed that discussions were taking place between U.S. and Iranian officials, though he declined to provide specifics. “If they don’t make a deal, there will be bombing,” he stated. “But there’s a chance that if they don’t make a deal, I will reimpose secondary tariffs on them like I did four years ago.”

During his first term in office (2017–2021), Trump unilaterally withdrew the United States from the 2015 Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), a multilateral agreement that had placed strict limits on Iran’s nuclear activities in exchange for sanctions relief. Following the withdrawal, Trump reinstated sweeping economic sanctions, prompting Iran to exceed uranium enrichment levels previously agreed upon and reigniting international concerns over a potential weapons program.

On Monday morning, the Iranian Ministry of Foreign Affairs summoned the acting head of the Swiss embassy in Tehran — the official representative of US interests in Iran — in response to what it called “provocative and unlawful threats” made by the US president. According to Mehr News Agency, the meeting was held between Isa Kameli, Director General of the Americas Department at the Iranian Foreign Ministry, and the Swiss diplomat.

During the meeting, Kameli denounced Trump’s remarks as a direct violation of international law and the United Nations Charter, stating unequivocally that “Iran’s response to any threat will be immediate and firm.” He formally lodged a diplomatic protest, emphasizing that Tehran would not remain passive in the face of military threats or regional destabilization. The Swiss representative pledged to relay Iran’s message promptly to the United States government.

Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei Kani also took to X (formerly Twitter), describing Trump’s rhetoric as “a shocking affront to the very essence of international peace and security.” He accused the US president of undermining the UN Charter and international safeguards. “Violence breeds violence, peace begets peace,” Baghaei Kani wrote. “The US can choose the course... and concede to CONSEQUENCES.”

Iran has dismissed Trump’s ultimatums. According to the state-run IRNA news agency, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi confirmed that Iran had responded to Trump’s letter — delivered via Oman — urging a new nuclear agreement. He offered no details but reaffirmed that Tehran would not yield to intimidation.

On Sunday, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian reiterated that Iran remained open to indirect negotiations with the US but emphasized that future talks would depend on Washington’s ability to rebuild trust and honor previous agreements. “Iran has never closed the channels of indirect communication,” he said. “But if the US truly seeks a path forward, it must demonstrate sincerity by correcting its past breaches.”

Meanwhile, Supreme Leader Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei delivered one of the most severe rebukes to date during his Eid al-Fitr sermon at the Grand Mosalla mosque in Tehran. Warning of dire consequences for any hostile acts by the United States or Israel, Khamenei said, “If any such act of evil is carried out, they will certainly receive a heavy blow in return.”

He also lashed out at Israel, calling the “Zionist regime” a proxy force for colonialist powers and vowing that “by God’s grace and power, it will be eradicated.” He condemned Israel’s operations in Gaza and Lebanon and accused Western governments of complicity in assassinations and regional interference.

Khamenei’s comments follow a volatile series of events, including cross-border escalations involving Hezbollah in Lebanon and Israeli strikes in Syria. While Iran has vowed to defend its allies and resist what it calls “Israeli aggression,” regional analysts point to significant setbacks faced by Tehran’s partners.

In Lebanon, the Hezbollah militia — long backed by Iran — has faced growing military pressure from Israel and waning public support. In Syria, the collapse of the Assad regime has sharply reduced Tehran’s influence. In Yemen, relentless U.S. airstrikes have degraded the operational capacity of Iran-aligned Houthi forces. Additionally, under the Trump administration, the U.S. exerted pressure on the Iraqi government to sever financial ties with Iran and reduce the influence of the Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF).

Despite its forceful rhetoric, Iran’s military capabilities remain in question. Experts believe the country would struggle to mount a significant response to a coordinated U.S. military strike, particularly against hardened targets such as its nuclear facilities and missile systems. Recent claims by Iranian commanders suggesting they could target U.S. bases like Diego Garcia in the Indian Ocean have been dismissed by Western defense analysts as exaggerated.

In response to Tehran’s threats, the United States has bolstered its military presence in the region. Four B-2 stealth bombers have been deployed to Diego Garcia, a key strategic outpost, while aircraft carriers USS Harry S. Truman and USS Carl Vinson now operate in Middle Eastern waters, enhancing U.S. strike capabilities.

On Saturday, Rear Admiral Alireza Tangsiri, Commander of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) Navy, warned that Iran would close the Strait of Hormuz if attacked. “If ordered, its execution is my duty,” he declared. He categorically ruled out negotiations over Iran’s missile program or support for regional armed groups. “I have no knowledge of Trump’s message, nor do I care to analyze it. I hear his threats, I observe his actions, and I prepare myself to counter them.”

A post on the Iranian military’s official X account quoted Tangsiri as saying, “No one can attack us and escape — even if we have to pursue them into the Gulf of Mexico, we will.”

The fierce rhetoric and renewed threats from both Washington and Tehran have alarmed observers who fear that further miscalculations could spiral into open conflict. As the nuclear impasse continues and regional instability deepens, Iran’s message to the United States remains resolute: diplomacy is still possible — but any threat to Iranian sovereignty will be met with uncompromising resistance.