The United States President Donald Trump has again threatened Iran with possible military action if negotiations between Washington and Tehran nearing a decisive point fails.
The threat came as Iranian officials accused the U.S. of preparing for another round of attacks.
Speaking to reporters on Wednesday, Trump claimed discussions with Iran had entered what he described as the “final stages,” while warning that failure to secure an agreement could trigger renewed aggression against the Islamic Republic.
“We’re in the final stages of Iran. We’ll see what happens. Either have a deal or we’re going to do some things that are a little bit nasty, but hopefully that won’t happen,” Trump said, according to Reuters.
The U.S. president also suggested that Washington was weighing military options but preferred a diplomatic outcome that would avoid mass casualties.
“Ideally I’d like to see a few people killed, as opposed to a lot. We can do it either way,” he added.
Later during an address at the U.S. Coast Guard Academy, Trump repeated his warning, saying the United States “may have to hit them very hard,” while insisting Iran would never be allowed to obtain nuclear weapons.
The latest comments come six weeks after Trump halted Operation Epic Fury under a ceasefire arrangement aimed at opening the door for peace negotiations following months of U.S.-Israeli bombardments against Iran.
Despite the ceasefire, diplomatic efforts have made little progress, with both sides continuing to exchange threats while negotiations drag on through intermediaries.
Iranian authorities reacted angrily to Trump’s latest remarks, accusing Washington of secretly planning another military campaign.
The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps warned that any renewed strikes against Iran would provoke retaliation extending beyond the Middle East.
“If aggression against Iran is repeated, the promised regional war will extend beyond the region this time,” the Guards said in a statement.
Iran’s parliament speaker and chief negotiator, Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf, also alleged that both “obvious and hidden moves by the enemy” suggested the Americans were preparing fresh attacks.
Meanwhile, Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman, Esmaeil Baghaei, accused Washington of “piracy” over the blockade of Iranian ports and ships.
“Despite the negative record of the other side over the past year and a half, Iran is pursuing the path of negotiations with seriousness and good faith, but it has strong and reasonable suspicion over America’s performance,” Baghaei said.
Pakistan has continued to play a central mediation role in the crisis.
A Pakistani minister visited Tehran on Wednesday as part of ongoing efforts to relay messages between the two countries.
Iran recently submitted a fresh proposal to Washington, but reports indicate the offer largely repeats earlier demands already rejected by Trump.
Tehran is reportedly insisting on conditions including compensation for war damages, lifting sanctions, release of frozen Iranian assets, control arrangements around the Strait of Hormuz and withdrawal of U.S. troops from the region.
The Strait of Hormuz remains a major flashpoint in the crisis.
Iran has restricted access to the strategic waterway for most foreign vessels since the U.S.-Israeli military campaign began in February, severely disrupting global energy supplies.
Although Tehran says friendly nations may still use the route under specific conditions, Washington has rejected any arrangement involving Iranian control or access fees.
Baghaei said on Wednesday that Iran was willing to work with Oman on a new framework to guarantee long-term security in the Strait of Hormuz.
Shipping activity in the region has nevertheless started to increase.
Reports indicated that two large Chinese oil tankers carrying roughly four million barrels of crude successfully passed through the strait on Wednesday after Iran reportedly relaxed restrictions for Chinese vessels.
South Korea also confirmed one of its tankers was moving through the area in coordination with Iranian authorities.
The fluctuating rhetoric from Washington has continued to shake global oil markets.
Brent crude prices reportedly fell nearly five per cent on Wednesday amid renewed hopes that both sides could still reach a settlement.
Analysts say Trump is facing mounting political pressure at home as rising fuel prices threaten Republican prospects ahead of congressional elections later this year.
The conflict between Iran, the United States and Israel has already left thousands dead since the war escalated earlier this year.
Israel’s military operations in Lebanon against the Iran-backed Hezbollah movement have also displaced hundreds of thousands of civilians, while Iranian retaliatory attacks targeting Israel and Gulf states have killed dozens.
Trump and the Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had justified the war as part of efforts to weaken Iran’s regional influence, dismantle its nuclear programme and destroy its missile capabilities.
