Baffled Iranian negotiators 'are reading Trump's The Art of the Deal to try and understand why he threatens to "bomb the s*** out of them" while negotiating ceasefire'

By PERKIN AMALARAJ, FOREIGN NEWS REPORTER Published: 14:05, 24 June 2026 | Updated: 14:24, 24 June 2026 Baffled Iranian diplomats are reading Donald Trump's book, 'The Art of the Deal', in an attempt to understand his aggressive and often erratic negotiation strategy. The US and Iran have been in peace talks, mediated by Pakistan and Qatar, since mid-April and have gone through several rounds of formal talks. Throughout the negotiations, Trump, who was not directly involved and instead sent officials like vice president JD Vance in his place, would repeatedly threaten to derail the talks with boisterous social media posts. In early June, about a week before both nations signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) that aims to sow the seeds of peace, Trump threatened to 'bomb the s*** out of' Iran if it did not sign an agreement with the US. The Wall Street Journal reported that Iranian diplomats have been studying Trump's 1987 book, written with journalist Tony Schwartz, as a way to understand the president's line of thinking. The book's standout piece of advice for negotiators is to make extreme and unpredictable demands to create a sense of anxiety in the opposing side and force them into submission. Iranian negotiators also told mediators that they consulted a team of psychologists to help them understand Trump further, working with them to attempt to predict Trump's public response to Iran's proposals. The US newspaper reported that this preparation led to a worrying situation following the MoU last week. During fragile talks in Switzerland at the weekend, Trump threatened to attack Iran if it did not stop funding Hezbollah, its ally in Lebanon. Iranian Parliament Speaker and Iran negotiating team head Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf arrived in Zurich on June 21, 2026 The Wall Street Journal reported that Iranian diplomats have been studying Trump's 1987 book as a way to understand the president's line of thinking Upon being briefed of the threat, Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf - Iran's chief negotiator - told his US counterpart, JD Vance, that the threats were a breach of the MoU's opening paragraph which had just been signed a few days prior. His team then ended face-to-face talks. Ghalibaf later told Iranian TV: 'I told Vance, "Today your president has issued threats. Understand that we never negotiate under threats or pressure". 'The American side sought another meeting through the mediators, but we refused.' Despite this, Iran said yesterday that technical talks in Switzerland with the US and mediators concluded successfully. Ghalibaf later boasted that the deal it is signing with the US to end the Middle East war is 'America's declaration of defeat.' He said in an interview with Iranian TV: ' The Islamabad understanding was not the result of pressure and coercion, but rather the result of the resistance and authority of the brave Iranian nation. 'That is why, the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding became a declaration of America's defeat,' he said, adding that security in the Middle East must be ensured by the countries of the region. Trump, meanwhile, raged at Congress for passing a war powers vote that demanded he either stop warring with Iran or seek approval before continuing. Yesterday, the Republican-controlled Senate approved a measure under the War Powers Resolution of 1973. A handful of Republicans joined Democrats on Tuesday to vote in its favour, winning by a slim margin. Earlier this month, the House of Representatives, the US' lower chamber, passed the measure. Vessels at the Strait of Hormuz, as seen from Musandam, Oman, June 18, 2026 But it is largely a symbolic gesture as, despite passing through both chambers, it will not be sent to Trump for his consideration and does not carry the force of law. A furious Trump said on Truth Social: 'I have Iran on the "ropes," [sic] ready to go down for the fall, willing to give us practically anything, and for the first time in decades, respecting the hell out of the United States and its President, ME, and the U.S. Senate decides to have a poorly timed and meaningless War Powers Act Vote, telling the Number One Sponser [sic] of Terror in the World that the United States doesn't like what I am doing to them, and I must stop, and by so doing has provided aid and comfort the Enemy [sic]. 'Four Republican Losers voted with the Dumocrats, and Iran asked my people, 'what does that all mean?' These Senators have just made my job more difficult, but I will get it done, one way or the other, because I always get it done!' The peace deal, signed last week, committed Iran to using its 'best efforts for the safe passage of commercial vessels with no charge for 60 days.' The agreement also said Iran will work with Oman to 'define the future administration and maritime services' of the strait, though there is significant uncertainty as to what will happen after the 60 days is up. US secretary of state Marco Rubio has insisted that tolls cannot be charged on an international waterway, echoing the UK's call to ensure use of the Strait of Hormuz waterway remains fee-free to shipping. The comments by the top American diplomat came amid ongoing uncertainty over the critical Gulf channel, which remains a flashpoint in talks between the US and Iran to end their conflict. Tehran claimed to have again closed the strategic sea route at the weekend, just days after the signing of the interim peace deal, in response to strikes by Israel on Lebanon. In turn, Donald Trump warned the US could impose its own levies on the Gulf channel if a final agreement with Iran was not reached during the 60-day negotiating period. US secretary of state Marco Rubio has insisted that tolls cannot be charged on the Strait of Hormuz Although ships have started transiting the strait, the number remains well below pre-war levels. Operators say it will take time for traffic to recover because of the need to ensure safe passage with the removal of mines. The International Maritime Organisation is now pressing ahead with its plan to evacuate more than 11,000 seafarers still stranded in the region after receiving security guarantees – a move welcomed by UK Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper. Ending Tehran's stranglehold on the waterway, which disrupted global oil and gas supplies and drove up fuel and food prices, had been a key demand in negotiations. Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has previously highlighted the 'untold economic damage' caused by the effective closure of the channel, following the launch of the US and Israeli offensive on February 28. But the initial accord only secures toll-free passage of the strait for 60 days, pending the outcome of a final settlement on Tehran's disputed nuclear plans. It also appears to hand Tehran a key role over the waterway in the future. The pact leaves it to Iran and Oman, in conjunction with other Gulf states, to 'define the future administration and maritime services in the Strait of Hormuz', although it states this must be 'in line with the applicable international law', which upholds freedom of navigation. Meanwhile, Iran has said ships must seek permission to use the channel and raised the spectre of future charges. The Persian Gulf Strait Authority (PGSA), a government agency set up by Tehran during the earlier ceasefire to control the waterway, has demanded vessels submit requests at least 48 hours in advance to pass through the waterway. It also said admin tariffs, including for 'related Iranian insurances' would be waived during the 60-day negotiation period, leaving the way open for fees being levied at a later date. But US secretary of state Marco Rubio, who is in the Gulf to promote Washington's peace deal with Iran, said: 'No country is allowed to charge tolls or fees on an international waterway. Ships at the Strait of Hormuz, as seen from Musandam, Oman, earlier this month 'That's existing international law. That's the way it is in international waterways all over the world, and that's the way we expect it'll be here. 'So I don't think we have anybody to convince around here in that regard.' The UK Foreign Office recently made clear that 'toll-free freedom of navigation must now be restored in the Strait of Hormuz in line with international law, to begin easing the severe economic impacts that have been felt for several months – on families here in the UK and around the world'. The interim deal has sparked controversy in Washington, including among some of the US president's Republican allies, in enabling Iran to immediately start selling its oil and the future promise of a 300 billion dollar (£227 billion) reconstruction fund. The settlement also makes no mention of Iran's ballistic missiles, which the White House had originally vowed to destroy, but that Mr Trump now says would be 'unfair' to deny Tehran. Separately, the US president said Iran had agreed to nuclear inspections into 'infinity', after Tehran denied it had agreed to allow a UN watchdog to carry out checks. Mr Rubio said: 'We know what they agreed to. I don't know why they have to say the things they say. 'Whatever their internal or domestic politics is, I guess they'll navigate it. 'But we know what they agreed to do, and now they'll either do it or they won't. And if they do, the process moves forward. And if they don't, the president will have some decisions to make.' The comments below have not been moderated. The views expressed in the contents above are those of our users and do not necessarily reflect the views of MailOnline. By posting your comment you agree to our house rules. Do you want to automatically post your MailOnline comments to your Facebook Timeline? Your comment will be posted to MailOnline as usual. Do you want to automatically post your MailOnline comments to your Facebook Timeline? Your comment will be posted to MailOnline as usual We will automatically post your comment and a link to the news story to your Facebook timeline at the same time it is posted on MailOnline. To do this we will link your MailOnline account with your Facebook account. 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