Trump Warns of Potential US Strikes on Iran Amid Ongoing Negotiations for Peace Deal

President Donald Trump indicated on Tuesday that the United States may need to conduct military strikes against Iran, revealing that he was just an hour away from ordering an attack before deciding to postpone it. This announcement came during a press briefing at the White House, following a day of discussions about a new proposal from Tehran aimed at ending the ongoing conflict involving the US and Israel.

Tensions Rise as Negotiations Continue

Trump stated, “I was an hour away from making the decision to go today,” emphasizing the urgency of the situation. He remarked that Iran’s leadership is eager for a deal, but warned that if an agreement is not reached soon, a new US attack could occur within days. He specified a timeline of “two or three days, maybe Friday, Saturday, Sunday, something, maybe early next week,” stressing the need to prevent Iran from acquiring a new nuclear weapon.

Following Trump’s comments, oil prices saw a decline, with Brent crude trading at $110.26 per barrel, marking a 1.64 percent drop for the day.

Diplomatic Efforts and Progress

During the same briefing, US Vice President JD Vance noted that significant progress had been made in discussions between Washington and Tehran, with both sides expressing a desire to avoid a resumption of military actions. In Tehran, Ebrahim Azizi, head of the Iranian parliament’s national security committee, stated that the pause in potential attacks was a result of Trump’s recognition that any aggression against Iran would lead to a “decisive military response.”

Iranian state media reported that Tehran’s latest peace proposal includes a cessation of hostilities on all fronts, the withdrawal of US forces from areas near Iran, and reparations for damages caused by US-Israeli actions. Additionally, Iran is seeking the lifting of sanctions, the release of frozen assets, and an end to the US marine blockade, as outlined by Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi.

Stalemate in Peace Talks

Despite these proposals, the terms presented by Iran appear similar to previous offers that Trump dismissed as “garbage.” Reports have yet to confirm whether military preparations for renewed strikes have been initiated, which would mark a continuation of the conflict that began in late February.

Trump’s administration is under pressure to secure an agreement that would reopen the Strait of Hormuz, a crucial route for global oil supplies. The president has previously expressed optimism about the potential for a deal to end the conflict, while simultaneously threatening significant military action if an accord is not reached.

He reiterated on Monday that the US would be satisfied with an agreement that effectively prevents Tehran from developing nuclear weapons. “There seems to be a very good chance that they can work something out. If we can do that without bombing the hell out of them, I would be very happy,” he stated.

Regional Implications and Security Concerns

A Pakistani source confirmed that Islamabad has been facilitating communication between the US and Iran since hosting the only round of peace talks last month. The source indicated that both sides are continually adjusting their demands, adding, “We don’t have much time.”

In light of ongoing security concerns in the Strait of Hormuz, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and UN Secretary-General António Guterres discussed efforts to prevent Iran from deploying mines and imposing tolls in the waterway. Rubio emphasized the broad support from UN member states for these initiatives, as reported by State Department spokesman Tommy Pigott.

The US-Israeli military campaign has resulted in significant casualties in Iran, with thousands killed before a ceasefire was established in early April. Israel has also conducted operations in Lebanon, resulting in further loss of life and displacement of civilians, particularly in pursuit of the Iran-backed Hezbollah militia.

Iranian retaliatory strikes on Israel and neighboring Gulf states have also resulted in fatalities. While the ceasefire has largely held, there have been recent drone launches from Iraq targeting Gulf countries.

Ongoing Military and Political Dynamics

Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu have framed the military campaign as a means to diminish Iran’s support for regional militias, dismantle its nuclear program, and eliminate its missile capabilities. However, the conflict has not yet succeeded in depriving Iran of its stockpile of near-weapons-grade enriched uranium or its capacity to threaten neighboring nations with missiles, drones, and proxy forces.

The leadership of the Islamic Republic, which faced a significant uprising earlier this year, has shown resilience against external pressures, with no visible organized opposition emerging.

On Tuesday, Trump announced new sanctions targeting an Iranian foreign currency exchange house and entities allegedly facilitating transactions for Iranian banks.

For further details, refer to the report by ARN News Centre.

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Published on 2026-05-19 23:17:00 • By FAME Delivered News Desk