US President Donald Trump on Thursday sharpened his tone toward Tehran, urging Iranian negotiators to “get serious” about Washington's proposal to end the ongoing conflict, while claiming they are privately seeking a deal despite public denials.
In a post on Truth Social, Trump described Iranian negotiators as “very different and strange,” asserting that they are “begging” the United States for an agreement.
He framed this, in his words, as a consequence of Iran being “militarily obliterated,” and warned that time for diplomacy is running out.
“The Iranian negotiators are very different and ‘strange.' They are ‘begging' us to make a deal, which they should be doing since they have been militarily obliterated, with zero chance of a comeback,” Trump wrote.
“And yet they publicly state that they are only ‘looking at our proposal.' WRONG!!!”
He further cautioned Tehran that failure to engage meaningfully could lead to irreversible consequences.
“They better get serious soon, before it is too late, because once that happens, there is NO TURNING BACK, and it won't be pretty!” he added.
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The remarks come amid sharply conflicting signals from Washington and Tehran over attempts to end the ongoing war. Donald Trump has repeatedly suggested that a breakthrough is within reach, even after Iran rejected a 15-point ceasefire proposal put forward by the United States.
BBC reported that according to officials familiar with the plan, the US proposal includes phased sanctions relief for Iran in exchange for a rollback of its nuclear programme, curbs on missile capabilities and the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz.
Tehran, however, has outlined its own framework via state media, demanding an immediate halt to the targeting of its officials, firm guarantees against future military action, compensation for war-related damages, and formal recognition of its sovereignty over the Strait of Hormuz.
More than 1,500 people have been killed in Iran and nearly 1,100 in Lebanon, while dozens have died in Israel and other affected areas. Thirteen US military personnel have also been killed, and the violence has displaced millions in Iran and Lebanon.
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