Trump says Iran deal ‘very possible’, warns bombing could resume if talks fail

WASHINGTON: Donald Trump said on Wednesday that a deal between the United States and Iran was “very possible”, while warning that Washington could resume bombing if negotiations collapse.

Speaking to reporters, Trump said the conflict could end if Iran accepted the proposed terms.

“If Iran agrees to give what has been agreed to, the war will be over,” he said, adding that if talks failed, bombing would resume “at a much higher level and intensity”.

Trump later claimed that progress had been made during recent discussions. “We’ve had very good talks over the last 24 hours, and it’s very possible that we’ll make a deal,” he said.

Despite the optimistic remarks, Iran has not yet formally responded to the latest US proposal.

Esmaeil Baqaei said Tehran was still reviewing the proposal and would communicate its position to Pakistan after final consultations.

Meanwhile, Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf accused Washington of attempting to force Iran into surrender through economic pressure, naval blockades and media campaigns.

Positive signs of renewed diplomacy emerged after Trump halted a short-lived US military operation aimed at reopening the Strait of Hormuz, a key global oil shipping lane.

The US president said the operation had been paused temporarily in hopes that an agreement could be finalised.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif also expressed optimism regarding the negotiations, saying Pakistan hoped the current diplomatic momentum would result in lasting regional peace and stability.

According to reports, Washington and Tehran are close to finalising a preliminary memorandum of understanding that could end the conflict and pave the way for broader nuclear negotiations.

Trump also claimed Iran would eventually hand over its enriched uranium to the United States, although he did not explain how the issue would be resolved.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi met Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi in Beijing on Wednesday to discuss the ongoing negotiations and regional developments.

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Meanwhile, tensions remained high in the Gulf after the US military said one of its warplanes disabled the rudder of an oil tanker allegedly attempting to breach Washington’s blockade of Iranian ports.

The standoff around the Strait of Hormuz has raised fears over global energy supplies and maritime security.

Separately, on the Lebanese front, Israeli strikes targeted Beirut’s southern suburbs for the first time in nearly a month, killing a senior commander of Hezbollah, according to sources close to the group.

Israel’s military leadership vowed to continue operations aimed at weakening Hezbollah’s capabilities in southern Lebanon.