Trump threatens new Iran strikes, piling on pressure for peace deal

US President Donald Trump threatened Iran on Wednesday with renewed bombing if it did not agree to a peace deal, piling on pressure after he abandoned an effort to reopen the Strait of Hormuz citing hopes for a breakthrough. Positive signs that the foes could return to negotiations after weeks of deadlock grew after Trump halted his so-called “Project Freedom” in the strait, with key mediator Pakistan expressing optimism for talks leading to an agreement. “Assuming Iran agrees to give what has been agreed to… the already legendary Epic Fury will be at an end, and the highly effective Blockade will allow the Hormuz Strait to be OPEN TO ALL, including Iran,” Trump wrote on his Truth Social platform, using the name for the US campaign against the Islamic republic.

But he said that if a deal was not sealed, US strikes would resume “at a much higher level and intensity than it was before.” Iranian foreign ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baqaei told local media that the “US plan and proposal are still under review,” and that Tehran would convey its position to Pakistan “after finalising its views.” The US leader issued the warning after earlier posting that “Great Progress has been made toward a Complete and Final Agreement” with Tehran, without providing further details. “Project Freedom… will be paused for a short period of time to see whether or not the Agreement can be finalized and signed,” he added. He said the US blockade of Iranian ports, however, would remain in place as Tehran kept up its own closure of the vital trade route in response to the US-Israeli campaign that began on February 28, rattling markets and spiking fuel prices.

Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, a key figure in initial talks held in Islamabad last month, was optimistic that Trump’s “courageous leadership and timely announcement” could foster a deal. “We are very hopeful that the current momentum will lead to a lasting agreement that secures durable peace and stability for the region and beyond,” he said on X. Washington is now confident that it is close to reaching a deal with Iran to reopen the crucial waterway and halt the conflict, US news outlet Axios reported Wednesday, citing two US officials.