US President Donald Trump is once again warning the mullah regime in Tehran to accept his terms for ending the war, or else. He said on Wednesday that Iran will face a renewed and significantly intensified bombing campaign if it refuses to finalize an emerging agreement for a permanent ceasefire and the start of negotiations over more complex issues, such as the Islamic Republic’s nuclear program and lifting sanctions.
In a post on Truth Social, Trump said the US operation he called “Epic Fury” would end if Tehran accepts the terms already under discussion. He also said the Strait of Hormuz would immediately open to all shipping, including Iranian vessels.
But the warning was direct: If Iran does not agree, the bombing will resume “at a much higher level and intensity” than before.
The statement came shortly after reports that Washington and Tehran are nearing agreement on a one-page, 14-point memorandum aimed at ending the conflict. According to the report, US officials believe the sides are closer to a deal than at any point since the war began on Feb. 28.
A ceasefire entered into force on April 8 and has since been extended.
A Pakistani source familiar with the negotiations reportedly confirmed that progress is being made, saying the sides are close to concluding the agreement.
The emerging framework has been negotiated by US envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner with Iranian officials, both directly and through intermediaries.
Earlier, Trump announced a pause in Project Freedom, the US-led effort to escort commercial vessels through the Strait of Hormuz. He said the decision followed requests from Pakistan and other countries, and pointed to “great progress” in talks with Iranian representatives.
At the same time, the US naval blockade of Iran remains in effect.
Trump is again going out of his way to keep diplomacy on the table, even in the face of continuing Iranian intransigence. But after the 40 days of Operations Epic Fury and Roaring Lion, Tehran must know that Trump’s patience is not infinite, and his threats will be backed by action.
Ebrahim Rezaei, a spokesman for Iran’s National Security Council, responded to Trump’s post almost immediately, stressing his own post on X that the American proposal is not realistic. Rezaei insisted that America had lost the war, and would not be allowed to achieve through negotiations what it failed to achieve on the battlefield.
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