President Donald Trump has issued one of his strongest warnings yet to Tehran, saying Iran could be hit with bombing “at a much higher level” if it refuses to accept a peace agreement.
Speaking from the White House, Trump claimed the United States has already proven its military power and said Washington is ready to escalate if diplomacy fails. He argued that Iran must agree to what he described as a “real peace,” or face consequences far beyond what it has seen before.
The remarks come as nuclear talks remain unresolved, with both sides reportedly trading proposals but still unable to reach a final deal. Iran has not formally responded, though its leaders have repeatedly warned they would retaliate against any military attack.
The threat has already shaken global markets, pushing oil prices higher as fears grow over a wider regional conflict. While European allies are urging restraint, Trump is making it clear that, in his view, peace is the only way to avoid a far more destructive confrontation.
nuclear program. More talks were on tap Monday.
An emergency session on the fighting in Lebanon was added to the agenda for the Swiss talks, a diplomat told CBS News, as the conflict between Israel and Iran-backed Hezbollah endangers the U.S.-Iran ceasefire.
More than a dozen people were killed in Lebanon by Israeli strikes overnight Saturday, hours after three diplomats briefed on the matter told CBS News that Israel and Hezbollah had reached a ceasefire agreement to end the fighting.
The Strait of Hormuz will be closed again, Iran said Saturday, after accusing the U.S. and Israel of violating the memorandum of understanding by Israeli troops not withdrawing from southern Lebanon.
Negotiators from the U.S. and Iran were about to engage in a second day of talks Monday to solidify a permanent end to the war between the countries after a first day of mediation began with a rocky start.
Mediators Qatar and Pakistan hailed what they called “encouraging progress” made during the talks as Iran and the United States agreed to create a “de-confliction cell” to address the fighting in Lebanon. A senior U.S. diplomat claimed progress on multiple fronts, including the establishment of “mechanisms” to ensure the Strait of Hormuz, a vital waterway for global energy shipments, remains open and that a ceasefire in southern Lebanon holds.
The first session of talks between the U.S. and Iran has concluded, Qatar and Pakistan announced in a joint statement.
The statement said “encouraging progress was made” and that all sides have agreed to the creation of a ” High-Level Committee” that will continue the technical talks with the goal of reaching a final deal within the 60-day deadline.
“In addition, a communication line between the parties has been formed for the period mentioned in paragraph 5 of the MoU to avoid incidents and miscommunication with the aim of safe passage for commercial vessels through the Strait of Hormuz,” the statement said.
