U.S. President Donald Trump warned Iran on June 21 to stop Hezbollah proxies in Lebanon or face harder American strikes, posting the threat on Truth Social at 9:30 a.m. Eastern. The warning followed Israeli strikes that killed 18 civilians in Lebanon on June 19, the deadliest incident since Trump and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian signed a 14-point memorandum of understanding on June 17 in Versailles, France. The ceasefire deal, brokered during the G7 summit with Pakistan's prime minister as mediator, called for immediate termination of military operations on all fronts including Lebanon, but Israel and Hezbollah never signed the agreement.
Israeli Strikes Kill 18 in Lebanon on June 19
Israeli forces struck Hezbollah targets across southern Lebanon overnight Thursday into Friday, with Lebanese officials reporting at least 18 civilians killed. The Israel Defense Forces said the strikes responded to "repeated violations of the ceasefire." Iran closed the Strait of Hormuz for the second time in a week, citing continued Israeli troop presence in Lebanon as a breach of the deal's terms. The waterway carries roughly 20% of the world's crude oil and liquefied natural gas. Brent crude traded near $78 a barrel Saturday.
U.S. and Iranian Delegations Meet in Switzerland
Technical-level negotiations between U.S. and Iranian delegations began this weekend at the Bürgenstock resort in Switzerland. Vice President JD Vance, U.S. special envoy Steve Witkoff, and Trump son-in-law Jared Kushner represent Washington. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi and Parliament Speaker Mohammad-Bagher Ghalibaf lead Tehran's delegation. Pakistani and Qatari officials are mediating. Organizers added an emergency session on the Lebanon fighting to the agenda. The memorandum establishes a 60-day window to negotiate a final agreement covering Iran's nuclear program, sanctions relief, and the broader regional conflict.
Memorandum Terms and Compliance Disputes
The 14-point memorandum signed on June 17 calls for the "immediate and permanent termination of military operations on all fronts, including in Lebanon." The deal unlocked a $300 billion reconstruction fund for Iran and staged sanctions relief, both tied to verified compliance. Trump posted Saturday that ships would cross the strait toll-free for 60 days "unless they are imposed by and for the United States of America," should a final deal fall through. Trump's June 21 post read: "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!!!" The post was signed "President DONALD J. TRUMP."
FAQ
What did Trump warn Iran about on June 21?
Trump warned Iran to stop Hezbollah proxies in Lebanon or face harder U.S. strikes. He posted the warning on Truth Social at 9:30 a.m. Eastern on June 21, stating: "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!!!"
How many people were killed in the Israeli strikes in Lebanon on June 19?
Lebanese officials reported at least 18 civilians killed in Israeli strikes across southern Lebanon overnight Thursday into Friday. The Israel Defense Forces said the strikes responded to "repeated violations of the ceasefire." It marked the deadliest single incident since the memorandum of understanding took effect on June 17.
Where are U.S. and Iranian officials meeting for talks?
U.S. and Iranian delegations began technical-level negotiations this weekend at the Bürgenstock resort in Switzerland. Vice President JD Vance, U.S. special envoy Steve Witkoff, and Jared Kushner represent Washington, while Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi and Parliament Speaker Mohammad-Bagher Ghalibaf lead Tehran's delegation. Pakistani and Qatari officials are mediating the talks.
