President Donald Trump delivers the commencement address during the United States Coast Guard Academy's graduation ceremony in New London, Connecticut on Wednesday. UPI-Yonhap
DUBAI/WASHINGTON — U.S. President Donald Trump said on Wednesday that negotiations with Iran were "in the final stages", while warning of further attacks unless Tehran agrees to a peace deal. Six weeks since Trump paused Operation Epic Fury for a ceasefire, talks to end the war have shown little progress. Trump said this week he came close to ordering more attacks, but held off to allow time for negotiations.
"We're in the final stages of Iran. We'll see what happens. Either have a deal or we're going to do some things that are a little bit nasty, but hopefully that won't happen," he told reporters.
"Ideally I'd like to see few people killed, as opposed to a lot. We can do it either way."
Speaking later at the U.S. Coast Guard Academy, Trump reprised his either/or rhetoric - "We may have to hit them very hard... but maybe not" - and reiterated his determination not to allow Iran to acquire a nuclear weapon.
Tehran, for its part, accused Trump of plotting to restart the war, and threatened to retaliate for any strikes with attacks beyond the Middle East.
"If aggression against Iran is repeated, the promised regional war will extend beyond the region this time," the Revolutionary Guards said in a statement.
Parliament Speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf, Iran's top peace negotiator, said in an audio message on social media that "obvious and hidden moves by the enemy" showed the Americans were preparing new attacks.
'Suspicion over America's performance'
Foreign ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei later said the U.S. had to end its "piracy" against Iranian ships - a reference to the U.S. blockade of Iranian ports.
Source: Korea Times News
