Trump Issues Iran Ultimatum as US-Tehran Peace Negotiations Stall
US President Donald Trump has issued a direct ultimatum to Iran, asserting that the "clock is ticking" for an end to the protracted conflict. Writing on his Truth Social platform, Trump demanded, "They better get moving, FAST, or there won't be anything left of them. TIME IS OF THE ESSENCE!" This warning precedes a scheduled discussion between the US President and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
Iranian media outlets, including the semi-official Mehr news agency, have reported that Washington has failed to present concrete concessions in its reply to Tehran's recent proposals for peace. This perceived lack of compromise from the US is anticipated to result in an "impasse in the negotiations."
Trump's latest statement echoes earlier threats of a "whole civilisation" perishing unless Iran acquiesced to a ceasefire agreement announced in early April. More recently, the President described the current truce as being on "massive life support," having dismissed Tehran's demands as "totally unacceptable."
Esmail Baghaei, an Iranian foreign ministry spokesperson, maintained that Iran's proposals were both "responsible" and "generous." According to Iran's semi-official Tasnim news agency, these demands included an immediate cessation of hostilities across all fronts, encompassing Israeli aggression against Iran-supported Hezbollah in Lebanon, an end to the US naval blockade of Iranian ports, and assurances against further attacks on Iranian territory. Additionally, the proposals reportedly sought compensation for war damage and reiterated Iranian sovereignty over the Strait of Hormuz.
Conversely, Iran's semi-official Fars news agency reported on Sunday that Washington had outlined five conditions in response. These reportedly included a stipulation that Iran operate only one nuclear site and transfer its stockpile of highly enriched uranium to the US. On Friday, Trump appeared to signal a shift in US policy, suggesting he would accept a 20-year suspension of Iran's nuclear programme, a departure from previous demands for its complete dismantling.
The conflict originated on 28 February with extensive US and Israeli airstrikes on Iran, which included the targeting of a primary school and the killing of hundreds of civilians. Although the ceasefire has largely been observed, intermittent exchanges of fire continue. Iran maintains control of the Strait of Hormuz, a critical maritime passage for approximately 20% of the world's oil and liquefied natural gas, a move Tehran asserts is in retaliation for US and Israeli aggression, significantly impacting global oil prices. The US, for its part, has imposed a blockade on Iranian ports, aiming to pressure Tehran into accepting its terms. Pakistan has undertaken mediation efforts between the two nations, though a resolution appears distant.
