Trump Warns of Potential US Strikes on Iran Amid Ongoing Negotiations for Peace Deal
President Donald Trump indicated on Tuesday that the United States may need to consider military action against Iran again, revealing that he was just an hour away from ordering an attack before deciding to postpone it. This statement came during a press briefing at the White House, following his announcement that he had halted plans to resume hostilities after receiving a new proposal from Tehran aimed at resolving the ongoing US-Israeli conflict.
Key Developments in US-Iran Relations
Trump stated, “I was an hour away from making the decision to go today.” He emphasized that Iran’s leadership is eager for a deal, warning that if an agreement is not reached soon, the US might launch a new attack within days. He specified a potential timeframe, suggesting that military action could occur as early as the upcoming weekend or early next week, asserting the necessity to prevent Iran from acquiring a new nuclear weapon.
Following Trump’s remarks, oil prices experienced a slight decline, with Brent crude trading at $110.26 per barrel, down 1.64 percent for the day.
US Vice President JD Vance, addressing reporters, noted that significant progress had been made in discussions between Washington and Tehran, indicating that both sides are reluctant to see a return to military conflict.
Iran’s Response and Peace Proposal
In Tehran, Ebrahim Azizi, the head of the Iranian parliament’s national security committee, remarked on social media that the postponement of a US attack was likely due to Trump’s recognition that any military action against Iran would result in a “decisive military response.”
Iranian state media reported that Tehran’s latest peace proposal includes a cessation of hostilities on all fronts, the withdrawal of US forces from areas near Iran, and reparations for damages caused by US-Israeli attacks. Additionally, Iran is seeking the lifting of sanctions, the release of frozen assets, and an end to the US marine blockade, as outlined by Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi.
The terms presented in the Iranian proposal appear to be largely unchanged from a previous offer that Trump dismissed as “garbage” last week.
Military Preparations and Regional Implications
As tensions escalate, it remains unclear whether military preparations for potential strikes have been initiated, which would signify a renewal of the conflict that began in late February. Trump is under increasing pressure to secure an agreement that would facilitate the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, a vital route for global oil supplies.
In previous statements, Trump expressed optimism about reaching a deal to end the conflict, while simultaneously threatening significant military action if an accord is not achieved. He stated that the US would be satisfied with an agreement that prevents Iran from obtaining nuclear weapons, saying, “There seems to be a very good chance that they can work something out. If we can do that without bombing the hell out of them, I would be very happy.”
A Pakistani source confirmed that Islamabad has been facilitating communication between the two sides since hosting the only round of peace talks last month, sharing the Iranian proposal with Washington. The source noted that the negotiating parties are “changing their goalposts” and emphasized the urgency of the situation, stating, “We don’t have much time.”
International Security Concerns
In light of ongoing security concerns in the Strait of Hormuz, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and UN Secretary-General António Guterres discussed efforts to prevent Iran from deploying mines and imposing tolls in the critical waterway. Rubio highlighted the “overwhelming support of a broad base of UN members” for these initiatives, as reported by State Department spokesman Tommy Pigott.
The US-Israeli military campaign has resulted in significant casualties, with thousands of deaths reported in Iran before a ceasefire was established in early April. Israel has conducted operations that have led to further casualties and displacement in Lebanon, targeting the Iran-backed Hezbollah militia. Iranian retaliatory strikes on Israel and neighboring Gulf states have also resulted in fatalities.
Despite the ceasefire largely holding, there have been recent drone launches from Iraq aimed at Gulf countries. The conflict, initiated by Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, was framed as an effort to diminish Iran’s support for regional militias, dismantle its nuclear program, and neutralize its missile capabilities.
However, the military actions have not succeeded in significantly reducing Iran’s stockpile of near-weapons-grade enriched uranium or its capacity to threaten regional neighbors through missiles, drones, and proxy militias.
The clerical leadership in Iran has demonstrated resilience, having withstood external pressures without visible organized opposition, despite facing a mass uprising earlier in the year.
On Tuesday, Trump announced new sanctions targeting an Iranian foreign currency exchange house and entities allegedly facilitating transactions for Iranian banks, further complicating the already tense diplomatic landscape.
Source: www.arnnewscentre.ae
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Published on 2026-05-19 23:17:00 • By the Editorial Desk
