Donald Trump, Photo: REX / Shutterstock
US President Donald Trump made another tough statement on Iran, stressing that Tehran must choose between negotiations and “serious consequences”.
“My main goal is to resolve this issue peacefully. But if it doesn’t work out, Iran will be very bad,” Trump told reporters at the White House.
His comments came after Washington received a response from Iran through Oman, which often acts as an intermediary between the two countries.
Iran rejects direct talks
In response to Trump’s call, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said that direct talks with the United States are impossible until Washington changes its attitude towards Tehran.
Iran’s position:
- The US should stop the sanctions pressure.
- Negotiations are only possible in an indirect format.
- Oman passed Tehran’s response to Washington.
What is behind Trump’s ultimatum?
In 2018, Trump withdrew from the JCPOA and launched a campaign of tough sanctions to force Tehran to agree to a new deal.
The main steps of the United States:
- Sanctions: blocking oil exports, financial transactions and military programmes.
- Military pressure: a constant threat of a forceful scenario.
- Diplomacy: an attempt to negotiate through intermediaries.
The White House believes that sanctions will force Iran to make concessions, but Tehran has so far refused.
The risk of a new conflict in the Middle East
Analysts warn that Trump’s harsh rhetoric could lead to a military escalation if diplomacy fails.
What’s next?
- The US may tighten sanctions even further.
- Iran may continue its nuclear programme, provoking a response from Washington.
- If the situation escalates, a military conflict in the region is possible.
The situation is evolving, and the Middle East is once again on the brink of crisis.
