U.S. President Donald Trump said on Wednesday that the United States is ready to resume attacks on Tehran if Iran does not agree to a peace deal, but suggested Washington wait a few days to "get the right answers," UNN reports, citing Reuters.
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Speaking to reporters, Trump said the situation is "on the edge" and could escalate quickly.
Trump stated that the ceasefire in Iran is "on life support"11.05.26, 20:17
Six weeks after he suspended Operation Epic Fury for a ceasefire, the publication notes, negotiations to end the war have shown little progress, while rising gasoline prices have impacted the U.S. President's approval ratings.
"Believe me, if we don't get the right answers, it's going to be over very quickly. We're all set," he said at Joint Base Andrews. Asked how long he would wait, Trump replied: "It could be a few days, but it could be over very quickly."
Iran warned against renewed attacks. "If the aggression against Iran is repeated, the promised regional war this time will go beyond the region," the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps of Iran said in a statement.
Trump reaffirmed his determination not to allow Iran to obtain nuclear weapons. "We are in the final stages of Iran's development. We'll see what happens. Either we make a deal, or we're going to do some things that are a little bit unpleasant, but hopefully that won't happen," Trump told reporters earlier in the day. "Ideally, I'd like to see few people killed, not many. We can do it either way."
He spoke with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, who welcomed the extension of the ceasefire and told Trump that he believed a "reasonable solution" was possible, Ankara said.
Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf, Iran's chief peace negotiator, said in an audio message on social media that "the enemy's overt and covert actions" indicate that the Americans are preparing new attacks.
Trump presented with military options regarding Iran - Axios20.05.26, 12:52
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said Tehran remains open to negotiations but added in his post: "forcing Iran to surrender through coercion is nothing but an illusion."
Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei said Iran is negotiating "with seriousness and good faith, but has strong and well-founded suspicions about America's actions."
In the latest diplomatic effort, Pakistan's Interior Minister, who hosted the only round of peace talks so far and has since been a channel for messaging between the parties, was in Tehran on Wednesday.
Baghaei said Washington and Tehran continue to exchange messages through the mediation of the Pakistani minister.
Iran provided a new proposal to the U.S. this week. Tehran's descriptions suggest it largely repeats terms previously rejected by Trump, including demands for control over the Strait of Hormuz, compensation for war damages, lifting of sanctions, release of frozen assets, and the withdrawal of American troops.
On Tuesday, Trump said he was an hour away from ordering attacks this week in response to requests from several of Iran's Gulf neighbors.
Trump canceled strike on Iran following allies' request for "serious negotiations"18.05.26, 22:22
Trump is under pressure to end the war as skyrocketing energy prices hurt his Republican Party ahead of the U.S. Congressional elections in November.
"Investors are looking to gauge whether Washington and Tehran can find common ground and reach a peace deal, as the U.S. position changes daily," said Toshitaka Tazawa, an analyst at Fujitomi Securities.
U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent told Reuters in an interview Tuesday that he believes elevated bond yields and overall inflation are "temporary" phenomena and will subside once the conflict ends.
"The Strait will be opened, and we will normalize energy prices," he said.