US Urges Iran to Accept Deal, White House Threatens Harsher Strikes
The United States government has warned Iran to immediately accept a deal to end the escalating conflict in the Middle East. The White House has emphasised that President Donald Trump is ready to increase military pressure if Tehran rejects it.
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt stated that Washington views Iran as being in a militarily weak position.
“If Iran fails to accept the current reality, if they fail to understand that they have been militarily defeated and will continue to be so, President Trump will ensure they are struck harder than ever before,” Leavitt said in her statement, as reported by AFP on Thursday (26/3).
She also affirmed Trump’s readiness to continue attacks and urged Iran to consider the submitted proposal. “President Trump is not bluffing and he is ready to unleash hell. Iran must not miscalculate again,” she added.
Amid these threats, the US has offered a ceasefire as part of efforts to de-escalate the conflict. A New York Times report indicates that a 15-point proposal has been delivered to Iranian officials via Pakistan, which has also offered to host negotiations between Washington and Tehran.
Although full details have not been published, a Channel 12 report states that the US is proposing a one-month ceasefire to further discuss the plan’s contents.
Israeli media also reported that the proposal includes the dismantling of Iran’s nuclear programme, the cessation of support for proxy groups in the region, and guarantees for opening shipping lanes in the Strait of Hormuz.
The Iranian government has responded coolly to the offer and even mocked it. Spokesperson for the Khatam al-Anbiya military headquarters, Ebrahim Zolfaghari, stated that the US is essentially only negotiating with itself.
“The strategic power you once spoke of has turned into a strategic failure,” he said through a government Iranian television broadcast on Wednesday (25/3).
He also added sharp criticism of Washington. “A country that claims to be a global superpower would surely have exited this chaos if it were truly capable. Do not disguise your defeat as a deal. The era of your empty promises has ended,” he continued.
Although diplomatic channels are beginning to open, the harsh statements from both sides indicate that tensions are far from subsiding.
On one hand, Washington is increasing pressure through military threats and negotiation offers. On the other, Tehran continues to display a defiant stance and rejects the legitimacy of the proposal.
The conflict, which has been ongoing since late February, is now entering a crucial phase, with the prospects of diplomacy still unclear amid continued escalation.