By Elsie Kamsiyochi
Tensions between the United States and Iran remain dangerously high after President Donald Trump warned that Washington could launch fresh military strikes against Tehran if a diplomatic breakthrough is not reached within days.
At the same time, Iranian officials are pushing for a new peace agreement that includes sweeping demands such as reparations for wartime destruction, the lifting of sanctions, and the withdrawal of U.S. troops from areas near Iran.
Speaking to reporters at the White House on Tuesday, Trump revealed that he had come close to authorizing another military operation against Iran, saying he was only “an hour away” from approving an attack before deciding to pause. The president suggested that Iran’s leadership is eager to avoid renewed conflict and claimed Tehran is urgently seeking an agreement with Washington.
Trump indicated that if diplomacy fails, military action could quickly return to the table. According to him, a decision on possible strikes could come within “two or three days,” potentially as soon as the weekend or early next week. He stressed once again that the United States would not allow Iran to obtain a nuclear weapon, repeating a core objective of his administration’s foreign policy.
“We cannot let them have a nuclear weapon,” Trump told reporters, emphasizing that while he prefers a negotiated settlement, the military option remains firmly available.
The remarks came just one day after Trump announced he had paused plans for a renewed offensive following reports of a revised Iranian peace proposal aimed at ending the months-long U.S.-Israeli conflict with Tehran.
Iran Offers New Peace Terms
Iranian state media reported that Tehran’s latest proposal seeks an end to hostilities across the region, including in Lebanon, where fighting involving Iranian-backed groups has intensified. Iranian officials are also demanding the withdrawal of U.S. military forces stationed close to Iranian borders and financial compensation for damage caused during recent American and Israeli military operations.
Deputy Foreign Minister reportedly stated that Iran also wants severe economic restrictions lifted, including the removal of sanctions, the release of frozen Iranian funds abroad, and an end to the U.S. naval blockade affecting Iranian trade and shipping.
However, analysts noted that the latest proposal appears largely unchanged from an earlier offer that Trump reportedly dismissed last week as inadequate.
In Tehran, Iranian lawmakers responded sharply to Trump’s comments. , head of Iran’s parliamentary national security committee, argued that Trump delayed military action because Washington understands Iran would respond forcefully to any renewed attack.
Fragile Ceasefire Faces Growing Pressure
A fragile ceasefire between Iran, the United States, and Israel has largely held since fighting paused in early April, but concerns remain that violence could reignite at any moment.
The war, launched earlier this year, caused devastating losses across the region. Thousands of people were reportedly killed in Iran during U.S.-Israeli bombing campaigns, while military operations in Lebanon displaced hundreds of thousands as Israeli forces targeted the Iran-backed Hezbollah movement.
Meanwhile, Iranian missile and drone strikes against Israel and neighboring Gulf countries reportedly resulted in civilian casualties and heightened fears of a wider regional conflict.
Although large-scale fighting has paused, recent drone launches from Iraq toward Gulf states such as and have raised concerns that Iran or its regional allies may still be testing the limits of the ceasefire.
Global Stakes: Oil Routes and Regional Stability
One of the biggest concerns surrounding the ongoing negotiations is the future of the strategic Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s most important shipping routes for oil and other commodities. Continued instability in the region threatens global energy supplies and could disrupt international markets.
Trump has repeatedly expressed optimism that a diplomatic agreement could still emerge, saying earlier this week that he would welcome a peaceful resolution if it prevents Iran from advancing its nuclear ambitions.
“If we can do that without bombing the hell out of them, I would be very happy,” Trump said.
Sources in Pakistan, which has reportedly acted as an intermediary between Washington and Tehran, confirmed that Islamabad had passed Iran’s revised peace proposal to U.S. officials. However, one Pakistani source expressed frustration over the constantly shifting demands from both sides, warning that time may be running out for diplomacy.
Sanctions Increase Pressure on Tehran
As diplomatic discussions continue, the Trump administration is simultaneously intensifying economic pressure on Iran. On Tuesday, the United States announced fresh sanctions targeting an Iranian foreign currency exchange network and several companies allegedly involved in handling financial transactions for Iranian banks.
The move signals that despite renewed peace discussions, Washington is maintaining a hardline stance toward Tehran while keeping military pressure firmly in the background.
For now, the ceasefire remains intact, but with military threats, political demands, and regional tensions continuing to escalate, the coming days may prove decisive in determining whether diplomacy succeeds—or whether the Middle East moves closer to another major conflict.
Source Reuters