Trump’s Deadline Nears – Iran Shows No Signs of Agreement

As the five-week conflict between the U.S. and Iran, supported by Israel, reaches its climax, President Donald Trump has escalated pressure with clear ultimatums and military threats. Yet, despite the buildup, Iran remains unyielding. The next round of strikes is set to begin at 20:00 Washington DC time (01:00 GMT) on Tuesday, with Trump warning that critical infrastructure—including bridges and power plants—could be reduced to rubble within hours. “Very little is off-limits,” he declared on Monday, emphasizing his demand for a deal that meets his standards.

The president’s conditions include ensuring “free traffic of oil” through the Strait of Hormuz, a key maritime route. However, Iran has yet to show willingness to comply. Instead, they have rejected a temporary ceasefire and outlined their own set of demands, labeled as “maximalist” by a U.S. official. This standoff places Trump in a precarious situation. Should negotiations fail, he may extend his deadline—a fourth time in three weeks—though doing so could weaken his standing in the ongoing campaign.

“We won,” Trump insisted during a press conference on Monday afternoon. “They are militarily defeated. The only thing they have is the psychology of: ‘Oh, we’re going to drop a couple of mines in the water.'”

Despite the recent operation to rescue two American airmen from deep within Iran, Trump’s team highlighted the precision of the mission, which involved coordinating hundreds of aircraft and elite personnel. But the effort, while successful in averting a “potential tragedy,” also revealed vulnerabilities. “We can bomb the hell out of them,” the president said. “We can knock them for a loop. But to close the Strait, all you need is one terrorist.”

Trump acknowledged the Iranian people’s endurance of the strikes, even claiming their cities “welcomed” the bombings. However, he noted that destruction could eventually be rebuilt, with the country requiring two decades to recover. A full-scale assault, he warned, might take a century to reverse. While not exactly the “stone age” he has threatened, the risk of a regional humanitarian crisis looms, as Iran promised “crushing” retaliation.

In the final hours, Trump still holds out hope for a resolution. “We have an active, willing participant on the other side,” he stated. “They would like to be able to make a deal. I can’t say any more than that.” The president’s reluctance to detail his strategy underscores the uncertainty of the situation. Whether this opacity signals progress in backroom talks or a blend of bluff and optimism, the outcome remains uncertain as the clock ticks down.