President Donald Trump has warned that the United States is prepared to resume military strikes against Iran if no agreement is reached before a ceasefire expires Wednesday evening Eastern Time, according to reporting by Deutsche Welle.
Trump made the remarks in a recent interview, signaling that diplomatic negotiations remain unresolved and that the pause in hostilities could end imminently. The status of ongoing talks between the two sides remained unclear as the deadline approached.
Ceasefire window closing
The temporary halt in US military action against Iran is set to expire Wednesday evening ET. Trump indicated the window for diplomacy is narrow, and that absent a concrete agreement, bombing would restart.
The president did not elaborate on the specific terms the United States is seeking, nor did he confirm whether formal negotiations were actively underway as of the statement.
Background on the conflict
The US military launched strikes against Iran targeting the country's nuclear infrastructure, escalating tensions that had been building for years over Tehran's nuclear program. The strikes marked a significant escalation in direct US military engagement with Iran, a step previous administrations had avoided.
Iran has long maintained that its nuclear program is for civilian and defensive purposes, a position the United States and its allies have repeatedly disputed. Washington and its partners have argued that Iran's uranium enrichment activities point toward weapons development.
Uncertainty over talks
The state of diplomatic negotiations adds further uncertainty to an already volatile situation. It is not confirmed whether the two governments are engaged in direct or indirect dialogue, or whether third-party mediators are involved. Several rounds of indirect talks have taken place in the past through intermediaries such as Oman.
The international community, including European governments and regional powers, has been watching developments closely. A resumption of US strikes could have significant consequences for oil markets, regional stability, and the broader effort to contain nuclear proliferation in the Middle East.
No confirmed details about Iran's response to the deadline or its negotiating position have been made available. Deutsche Welle noted the situation remained fluid as of the latest reporting.
