WASHINGTON: US President Donald Trump said a diplomatic agreement with Iran remains within reach, but warned that military action could resume if negotiations collapse.
Speaking to reporters on Wednesday, Trump said recent discussions with Tehran had been productive and suggested a breakthrough was possible. However, he cautioned that failure to reach an agreement could trigger renewed US airstrikes “at a much higher level and intensity.”
Iran has not yet formally responded to the latest US proposal. Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baqaei said Tehran was still reviewing the plan and would share its response with mediator Pakistan once consultations were complete.
Despite Trump’s optimism, senior Iranian officials remained skeptical of Washington’s intentions. Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf accused the United States of using economic pressure, naval restrictions, and media campaigns to weaken Iran internally and force concessions.
Tensions in the Gulf remained high after the US military confirmed that one of its aircraft disabled an oil tanker attempting to bypass Washington’s blockade of Iranian ports. Although Trump recently paused efforts to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, he said the suspension was temporary and depended on progress in talks.
Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif expressed hope that ongoing diplomacy would produce a lasting agreement and bring stability to the region.
According to Axios, US and Iranian officials are reportedly close to finalising a brief memorandum that could end hostilities and pave the way for broader nuclear negotiations.
Trump also claimed Iran would eventually transfer its enriched uranium to the United States, though he did not explain how such an arrangement would be implemented.
Meanwhile, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi met Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi in Beijing to discuss the negotiations and regional developments.
Araghchi later said Iran hoped China would help support a new regional security framework after the conflict.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced that Washington had concluded its offensive military operations against Iran, following days of escalating tensions in the Strait of Hormuz.
The United States and Gulf allies are also preparing a UN Security Council resolution calling on Tehran to stop attacks, reveal mine locations, and end disruptions to international shipping routes.
Elsewhere in the region, Israel carried out strikes in Beirut’s southern suburbs for the first time in nearly a month. A Hezbollah commander from the group’s elite unit was reportedly killed, while Lebanese authorities said at least 11 others died in attacks across southern and eastern Lebanon.
During a visit to southern Lebanon, Israeli army chief Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir said Israel would continue efforts to weaken Hezbollah and take advantage of every opportunity to dismantle the group further.
