Trump warns Iran will ‘pay the price’ for delaying deal as US pressure mounts
WASHINGTON, DC: US President Donald Trump on Tuesday warned that Iran would “pay the price” for what he described as prolonged delays in negotiations amid heightened tensions between Washington and Tehran.
In a post on Truth Social, Trump accused Iran of failing to engage seriously in diplomatic efforts and suggested that the window for a favorable agreement may have closed.
“Iran is all talk and no action. The Bully of the Middle East is DEAD!!! They’ve taken too long to negotiate a deal that would have been great for them, now they will have to pay the price!!!” Trump wrote.
The president did not elaborate on what consequences Iran could face or whether his remarks signaled additional military, economic, or diplomatic measures.
Remarks follow fresh US military strikes
Trump’s comments came shortly after the United States launched a new wave of strikes against Iranian-linked targets, according to US officials.
The military action followed the loss of an Army Apache helicopter near the strategically important Strait of Hormuz, a key shipping route for global energy supplies.
American officials have not publicly linked the helicopter incident directly to Iran, but the latest strikes underscored Washington’s willingness to maintain military pressure while diplomatic efforts continue.
A US official told CNN that the latest strikes were intended as a warning to Tehran rather than an attempt to derail ongoing negotiations.
According to the official, the administration believes the military action will not prevent the two sides from eventually reaching an agreement aimed at ending the conflict.
Mixed signals on prospects for a deal
Trump’s warning stands in contrast to his more optimistic comments earlier this week, when he suggested that a breakthrough between the United States and Iran could be achieved within days.
Speaking to reporters, the president said he believed the two countries might be able to reach an agreement within “two or three days,” raising expectations that diplomatic channels remained active despite military tensions.
The latest social media post, however, suggests growing frustration within the White House over the pace of negotiations and Iran’s response to US proposals.
With tensions in the Gulf remaining high and military activity continuing in the region, Trump’s latest warning signals that Washington is prepared to increase pressure on Iran even as diplomatic efforts remain on the table.
