President Donald Trump has stated that Iran will face intensified bombing if it does not agree to a peace deal, while simultaneously expressing hopes for a resolution.
Reports suggest the U.S. and Iran are nearing a memorandum of understanding to end the ongoing conflict, a development that has positively impacted market indices.
Despite mixed signals regarding the immediacy of peace talks, both nations appear to be engaged in diplomatic efforts, with Pakistan acting as a key mediator.
Trump Warns of Escalated Bombing if Iran Rejects Peace Deal, Amidst Negotiation Hopes
Washington D.C. - President Donald Trump issued a stark warning to Iran on Wednesday, stating that U.S. military operations would intensify significantly if Tehran fails to agree to a peace deal. This comes as reports suggest that the United States and Iran are nearing a potential agreement to end their prolonged conflict.
In a post on Truth Social, President Trump declared that the U.S. military offensive, known as Operation Epic Fury, would cease if Iran "agrees to give what has been agreed to." He added that if a deal is reached, the U.S. naval blockade of Iranian ports would be lifted, allowing the Strait of Hormuz to remain open to all traffic, including Iran.
However, Trump cautioned, "if they don't agree, the bombing starts, and it will be, sadly, at a much higher level and intensity than it was before."
Negotiation Developments
The President's remarks followed a report by Axios indicating that the U.S. and Iran are on the cusp of a memorandum of understanding to end the war and establish a framework for future negotiations. Axios reported that Washington anticipates responses from Tehran on several critical points within the next 48 hours.
These developments seemingly boosted market confidence, with stock indices experiencing a jump and oil prices falling. This was seen as a strong indicator that an end to the more than two-month war was becoming more tangible.
Mixed Signals on Peace Talks
Despite the positive signs, President Trump told The New York Post that it is still "too soon" to prepare for further in-person peace talks. In a conversation with PBS News, he also stated that the war has a "very good chance of ending," but reiterated, "if it doesn't end, we have to go back to bombing the hell out of them."
Speaking to reporters at a White House event, Trump expressed that Iran is eager to reach an agreement. He noted the presence of executives from major oil companies, including Exxon Mobil and Chevron, at the White House, though he did not explicitly link their discussions to Iran or the Strait of Hormuz.
Iranian Response
Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baqaei confirmed that Tehran is reviewing the proposal and will convey its response to mediators in Pakistan. Baqaei also posted on X, quoting the International Court of Justice to emphasize that genuine negotiations require good faith and should not involve "dictation, deception, extortion or coercion."
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, meeting with his Chinese counterpart Wang Yi, reaffirmed Iran's commitment to upholding national sovereignty and dignity, expressing trust in China and a desire to strengthen their strategic partnership.
Details of the Proposed Deal
According to the Axios report, the proposed memorandum of understanding includes Iran committing to a moratorium on nuclear enrichment, the U.S. lifting sanctions, and both parties easing controls on ship transits through the Strait of Hormuz. Many of these terms are contingent on a final agreement.
A ceasefire has been in place since April 7 to facilitate negotiations, but recent incidents have highlighted the fragility of the situation. Iran had attacked U.S. forces assisting commercial vessels, while the U.S. reported sinking Iranian boats that interfered with shipping. The U.S. Central Command also announced disabling an Iran-flagged oil tanker violating the blockade.
Optimism had previously resurfaced when Trump announced the pause of "Project Freedom," the U.S. operation to guide ships through the Strait of Hormuz, citing "Great Progress has been made toward a Complete and Final Agreement" with Iran.
A Pakistani government official had previously told MS NOW that a proposal to end the war was "very likely in the coming days," highlighting Pakistan's role as a mediator.
Video: Trump says Iran will be bombed ‘at much higher level’ if they don’t agree to peace deal
Video: U.S., Iran closing in on memo to end war: Report
