Fresh Iran attack could come within days if no deal reached: Trump
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US President Donald Trump has warned that the United States could launch fresh military strikes on Iran within days if ongoing negotiations fail to produce a peace agreement.
“I hope we don't have to do the war, but we may have to give them another big hit,” Trump said, adding that Iran cannot be allowed to possess nuclear weapons because its leadership is “extremely radicalised”.
Trump said he was still undecided on military action but indicated a decision could come soon. According to Axios reporter Barak Ravid, Trump said renewed strikes could happen in “two-three days, maybe Friday or Saturday, early next week” if talks fail.
The warning follows Trump’s earlier statement on Sunday that “the clock is ticking” for Iran to accept a peace deal with Washington.
On Monday, however, Trump said he had postponed a planned US attack on Iran that was scheduled for Tuesday because “serious negotiations” were underway.
The US president also said he delayed military action following requests from Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates.
“We were getting ready to do a very major attack tomorrow. I have put off attacking Iran for a little while, hopefully forever,” Trump told reporters at the White House.
He added that the US military had been instructed to remain prepared for a “full, large-scale assault” if an acceptable agreement is not reached.
Since a ceasefire took effect on April 8, Tehran and Washington have held one round of talks that failed to produce a breakthrough. Iran has continued to maintain control over the Strait of Hormuz, a critical global oil shipping route, while the United States has imposed a naval blockade on Iranian ports.