US Escalates Strikes to Pressure Iran into Negotiations

Peace negotiations between the United States and Iran remain on track despite both countries exchanging attacks in recent days, CNN reported on Thursday (11/6), citing a diplomatic source. The conflicting nations launched strikes against one another over two consecutive days. US President Donald Trump warned that his side would launch further attacks if Iran does not promptly accept the proposed peace deal. In a statement, US Central Command (CENTCOM) said American forces struck a number of military targets in Iran from Wednesday night into the early hours of Thursday. CENTCOM described the strikes as an act of “self-defence” after an American military helicopter was shot down in the Strait of Hormuz. Previously, Trump stated that Iran had drawn out negotiations for too long and must therefore face the consequences. Negotiations ongoing since the April ceasefire have focused on efforts to reopen shipping access through the Strait of Hormuz and reach an agreement regarding Iran’s nuclear programme. The US-Iran dialogue, mediated by Pakistan, is also focused on efforts to permanently end the war that began on 28 February 2026. Iranian Armed Forces spokesman Abolfazl Shekarchi rejected claims that his country’s defensive capabilities had weakened. Tehran assessed the strike as a “flagrant violation” of the United Nations Charter and fundamental principles of international law. The statement added that if Washington is genuinely interested in a diplomatic solution, it must abandon the language of threats and engage in dialogue with Iran on the basis of mutual respect. Iran accused the US of disrupting diplomatic channels through contradictory messages, repeated shifts in stance and demands, as well as ceasefire violations. When asked to clarify his statement, Trump confirmed he meant “two or three days”, not several weeks. On 28 February, the US and Israel launched a joint attack on a number of targets in Iran, causing damage and civilian casualties. Iranian media also dismissed Trump’s claim that enriched uranium would be destroyed as baseless.