DONALD Trump has threatened to hit Iran “even harder” unless the rogue nation agrees to a peace deal, as the deadline ticks down.
The US president said negotiations with Tehran are in their final stages, but warned he could get a “little bit nasty” if talks falls through.
Donald Trump has warned he will hit Iran ‘even harder’ if a deal is not reached Credit: AFP
Explosions erupt following strikes at Tehran Oil Refinery in Tehran on March 7, 2026 Credit: AFP
Trump said on Wednesday: “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.
“We’re going to give this one shot. I’m in no hurry.”
The US president said he’d like to see “a few people killed as opposed to a lot”.
But he added: “We can do it either way”.
Trump insisted any deal would “not let Iran have a nuclear weapon” and warned, “we may have to hit them even harder” if the regime refuses.
Peace talks between and Tehran have stalled in recent weeks, as a fragile temporary ceasefire is stretched to its very limits in the Strait of Hormuz.
On Monday Iran said it had responded to the latest US peace proposal and exchanges with Washington were ongoing.
But Tehran has now hit back at Trump’s threats, accusing him of plotting to restart the war.
The Strait of Hormuz could be unblocked by a Nato mission, reports say Credit: AFP
A plume of smoke rises after a strike in Tehran, Iran in the first days of the war Credit: AP
The bloodthirsty Iranian Revolutionary Guards said in a statement: “If aggression against Iran is repeated, the promised regional war will extend beyond the region this time.”
Iran’s top negotiator also accused the US of preparing to break the ceasefire.
In an audio message posted on social media, Mohammad Baqer said “obvious and hidden moves by the enemy” showed the Americans were planning new attacks.
It comes aswith “crushing blows” if it is attacked again.
Iran’s foreign minister Abbas Araghchi also said that a return to war would “feature many more surprises”.
On Tuesday Trump warned he may have to kick- start strikes on Iran if the mullah chiefs refuse to abandon its nuclear program.
He claimed he was – which would have spectacularly ended a month-long ceasefire agreed in April.
Trump said that three Gulf leaders requesting more time to iron out a deal were the only thing that had held him back.
The Strait of Hormuz has been blocked for weeks since the outbreak of war Credit: AP
He later revealed US forces will launch a “full, large scale assault of Iran, on a moment’s notice, in the event that an acceptable Deal is not reached”.
The US president stressed the deal would include Iran being stripped of its nuclear weapons and forced to stop enriching uranium.
It comes amid reports Nato is planning to unblock the Strait of Hormuz – following a series of unsuccessful attempts by Trump to unclog the key waterway.
A small group of Western allies could be part of the operation – even if the US and Iran don’t reach a deal, Bloomberg reports.
It contrasts with a proposed UK-France mission – which pledged to deal with the strait only after a ceasefire between the US and Iran was agreed.
The trade artery – a passage for one fifth of the world’s oil exports – has been blocked for weeks since the outbreak of war between and Tehran.
The crisis has sent global prices soaring.
Eze Chidiebere Paul
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