Trump Threatens to Strike Iran Again If Negotiations Fail

The tension between the United States and Iran has again escalated even as a diplomatic channel remains open. US President Donald Trump warned he would launch a new attack on Iran in the coming days if peace talks fail to reach an agreement. He claimed he had halted large-scale military operations to give space for negotiations. ‘I was within an hour of ordering a major strike. But I delayed it,’ he said. According to Trump, Iran is under pressure and beginning to show willingness to reach a peace agreement with Washington. However, he has not ruled out using force again. ‘You know what it feels like to negotiate with a country that you are beating. They come to the negotiating table and beg to strike a deal,’ he said. ‘I hope we do not need war. But perhaps we must give them another big blow. I am not sure,’ he added. Iran’s military spokesperson Mohammad Akraminia warned that the country is ready to open new fronts if the United States resumes attacks. Iran says it is using the ceasefire to strengthen its combat capabilities. ‘We will open new fronts against the United States if attacks are resumed,’ Akraminia said. The two countries’ tensions have not fully cooled despite the ceasefire since April. Iran also claims to be gaining strategic advantages from the war, with Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi even claiming that the Islamic Republic has shot down a US stealth jet fighter F-35 for the first time. ‘If the war returns, there will be more surprises,’ Araghchi said. Trump gave a deadline of a few days to determine the direction of negotiations, saying the decision on possible new attacks could come late this weekend or early next week. ‘I am talking about two or three days, perhaps Friday, Saturday, Sunday, or early next week,’ he said. Meanwhile, US Vice President JD Vance stressed that Washington still hopes for a diplomatic solution and that communication with Iran remains positive. ‘Many positive advances are taking place. We will keep working until an agreement is reached or not at all,’ Vance said. The prolonged conflict is beginning to exert political pressure on Trump domestically, with fuel prices rising in the US due to Gulf instability and public fatigue with the conflict ahead of the congressional elections in November. Separately, Iran has pressed a number of conditions in negotiations, including the lifting of economic sanctions, the release of Iranian assets frozen abroad, and demands for war reparations. Netanyahu has reportedly discussed the possibility of a new war with Iran in two security cabinet meetings after speaking with US President Donald Trump. Iran warned it would open new fronts if attacked by Israel and the US, and asserted control over the Strait of Hormuz. Iran has formed a new body to manage Strait of Hormuz operations amid rising tensions with the United States and threats to global energy distribution routes. The statements come amid rising diplomatic tensions relating to efforts to resolve the conflict between Iran, the United States, and Israel. Trump administration officials have urged the UAE to seize Iran’s En Lavan Island to strengthen its strategic position amid the Gulf War. The Hang Seng Index (IHSG) opened down 1.40% to 6,628 on Monday (18/05/2026). Tensions between the US and Iran and higher oil prices have sparked concerns about high global interest rates. The United States announced it has diverted dozens of commercial ships and disabled several vessels as part of a blockade of shipping through the Strait of Hormuz. US intelligence reports revealed that Iran still has 70% of its missile potential and has restored 90% of underground facilities despite attacks by the US and Israel. The war in the Middle East may flare far from Brussels, but the heat of the flames is felt in the heart of Europe. President Donald Trump rejected Iran’s peace proposal and described the current ceasefire as being in a critical condition.