WASHINGTON: US President Donald Trump on Wednesday said negotiations with Iran had entered the “final stages,” while warning Tehran that Washington could launch fresh attacks if a peace deal fails to materialise. The statement comes weeks after Trump paused Operation Epic Fury under a ceasefire agreement aimed at ending months of escalating conflict in the Middle East.
Speaking to reporters, Trump said the United States was giving diplomacy “one shot” before considering military action again. He added that although he preferred a peaceful resolution, the US was prepared to respond forcefully if negotiations collapsed. Trump’s remarks have intensified global attention on the ongoing Iran-US deal talks and rising tensions across the Gulf region.
Iran quickly reacted to Trump’s comments, accusing the US president of preparing for another military campaign. The Revolutionary Guards warned that any renewed aggression against Iran would trigger retaliation beyond the Middle East. Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf also claimed there were signs that Washington was planning new attacks despite ongoing diplomatic contacts.
Pakistan has continued playing a key diplomatic role in the crisis. A Pakistani minister visited Tehran on Wednesday as Islamabad remained involved in backchannel communication between Iran and the United States. Iran has reportedly submitted a revised proposal to Washington that includes demands related to sanctions relief, release of frozen assets and control over the Strait of Hormuz.
The Strait of Hormuz remains at the centre of the crisis, with Iran partially restricting global shipping routes since the conflict began earlier this year. The disruption has sharply affected global oil prices and international energy supplies. Shipping activity has increased slightly in recent days, but traffic through the strategic waterway remains far below pre-war levels.
Oil markets reacted cautiously to Trump’s latest statements. Brent crude prices eased slightly on Wednesday but remained above $108 per barrel due to uncertainty surrounding the Iran conflict and fears of further instability in the region.
The war has already caused thousands of deaths across Iran, Lebanon and neighbouring states, while regional drone and missile attacks continue to raise fears of a wider Middle East conflict.
