US President Donald Trump has delivered a stern warning to Iran, stating that the nation will encounter harsh repercussions, including bombings and economic sanctions, if it does not reach an agreement on a new nuclear deal.
In an interview with NBC News, Trump remarked, “If they fail to strike a deal, there will be bombings. It will be bombings of a scale they’ve never experienced before.”
Trump’s statements emerge amid rising tensions between Washington and Tehran concerning Iran’s nuclear initiative. Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has recently stated that Iran has declined direct negotiations with the US but remains open to indirect discussions via Oman. This comes after Trump sent a letter to Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei advocating for negotiations.
Trump, who exited the 2015 nuclear agreement in 2018 and reinstated sanctions through his “maximum pressure” strategy, continues to advocate for a new accord. He has also hinted at potential secondary tariffs on Iran should it refuse to engage.
The situation is further complicated by ongoing conflicts within the Middle East, with the US conducting airstrikes against Iranian-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen. Simultaneously, Iran has launched missile and drone attacks against Israel, prompting retaliatory actions. Iranian officials, including parliament speaker Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf, have cautioned that any US military engagement could trigger a broader regional conflict. “Should they violate Iran’s sovereignty, it will ignite a spark in a gunpowder depot,” Qalibaf declared.
Iran maintains that its nuclear program serves peaceful objectives; however, reports from the UN’s nuclear watchdog suggest Tehran has been enriching uranium to levels close to weapons-grade. Meanwhile, Trump has set a two-month deadline for Iran to finalize a deal, warning that if diplomatic channels do not succeed, alternative actions will be pursued.
Iran’s hesitance to negotiate with Trump also stems from historical conflicts, notably the 2020 US drone strike that claimed the life of Iranian General Qasem Soleimani. Tehran is said to be seeking retribution, with US officials alleging that Iran has plotted to assassinate Trump. In retaliation, Trump has cautioned that any attempts on his life would provoke severe consequences.
