United States President Donald Trump has warned that Iran will face significantly intensified military action if it fails to agree to a proposed peace deal, as negotiations between Washington and Tehran appear to be approaching a potential resolution.
Trump said in a post on Truth Social that the ongoing U.S. military campaign, known as Operation Epic Fury, “will be at an end” if Iran “agrees to give what has been agreed to, which is, perhaps, a big assumption”.
However, he issued a stark warning on the consequences of a breakdown in talks. “If they don’t agree, the bombing starts, and it will be, sadly, at a much higher level and intensity than it was before.”
The comments come as Axios reported that the U.S. and Iran are close to finalising a framework agreement aimed at ending the conflict, which has been ongoing for more than two months.
According to the report, the proposed memorandum would outline initial commitments from both sides while setting the stage for broader negotiations.
Under the reported terms, Iran would agree to a moratorium on nuclear enrichment, while the United States would move to lift sanctions.
Both sides would also scale back restrictions on maritime traffic through the strategically critical Strait of Hormuz.
Trump indicated that a successful agreement would also result in the lifting of U.S. naval restrictions in the region. The current blockade of Iranian ports in the Gulf of Oman would be eased, allowing the Strait of Hormuz to be reopened to global shipping, including Iranian vessels.
Despite the apparent progress, Trump struck a cautious tone in subsequent remarks, telling the New York Post it was still “too soon” to begin planning another round of in-person peace talks.
He also reiterated the uncertainty surrounding the negotiations, telling PBS News that while the war has a “very good chance of ending,” failure would result in renewed military action, adding, “if it doesn’t end, we have to go back to bombing the hell out of them.”
Iran has yet to formally respond to the latest U.S. proposal. Foreign ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baqaei said Tehran is reviewing the terms and will deliver its position through mediators in Pakistan, which has played a role in facilitating discussions between the two sides.
Additional details from sources suggest that the proposed agreement may take the form of a one-page memorandum of understanding, potentially comprising multiple points that outline commitments on nuclear activity, sanctions relief, and maritime access.
However, divisions remain over key issues, including Iran’s nuclear programme and control over shipping routes.
Meanwhile, tensions on the ground remain elevated. U.S. Central Command confirmed in a post on X that it had disabled an Iran-flagged oil tanker attempting to reach an Iranian port in violation of the ongoing blockade, firing “several rounds” from a cannon gun to stop the vessel.
