United States President Donald Trump has issued a sharp ultimatum to Iran, demanding acceptance of a proposed agreement to end ongoing hostilities or face a renewed wave of intensified military strikes.
In a statement posted Wednesday on his Truth Social platform, Trump warned that failure to reach a deal would trigger a significant escalation in US military action.
“Assuming Iran agrees to give what has been agreed to, which is perhaps a big assumption, the already legendary ‘Epic Fury’ will be at an end,” he said, referring to Washington’s military campaign against Tehran. “If they don’t agree, the bombing starts, and it will be, sadly, at a much higher level and intensity than it was before.”
The ultimatum comes amid reports of possible diplomatic progress. According to Axios, officials in Washington and Tehran are nearing agreement on a one-page memorandum of understanding aimed at halting the conflict and establishing a framework for broader nuclear negotiations.
In a related development, Trump on Tuesday announced a temporary pause in a US military operation designed to escort stranded commercial vessels through the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz. The operation, dubbed “Project Freedom,” was halted just a day after its launch, with the US leader citing growing optimism around a potential deal.
Despite the pause, Trump confirmed that the United States would maintain its blockade of Iranian ports, even as Iran continues to restrict access to the key maritime route — a move that has unsettled global markets and driven up fuel prices.
Trump said the decision to suspend the operation followed appeals from international mediators, including Pakistan, and hinted at significant diplomatic headway.
“Great progress has been made toward a complete and final agreement,” he stated, adding that both sides had agreed to a short pause in military activities to allow for final negotiations.
The situation remains fluid, with the prospect of either a breakthrough agreement or a sharp escalation hinging on Tehran’s next move.
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