US President Donald Trump on Monday made it clear that there will be no further extension to the deadline set for Iran, even as Tehran continues to reject negotiations and Washington's earlier 15-point proposal for peace.
Speaking after previously pushing the deadline to 8 pm Washington DC time, Trump said Tuesday would mark the final cutof. “Tuesday is the final deadline… not good enough,” he said, according to Reuters while describing the latest proposal as “significant.”
Follow live updates from the West Asia war.
The US president further suggested that the West Asia conflict could come to a rapid end if Iran complies with key demands.
“War could end very quickly if they do the things they need to do,” he said. "
“When the Iranian people don't hear bombs go off, they get upset. They want to hear bombs because they want to be free... If they protest or go out in the streets, they would immediately be shot... I am very upset with a certain group of people and they are going to pay a very big price for that. The Iranian people will fight back as soon as they know they are not going to be shot at and as soon as they have weapons," he added.
“War is about one thing - Iran cannot have nuclear weapons,” Trump asserted, underlining the administration’s red line in the ongoing standoff.
At the same time, the two-time president struck a cautiously optimistic note on diplomacy, saying that US negotiators are engaging with counterparts he described as “reasonable” and “not as radicalized."
Also Read | 'Extremely ambitious and illogical': Iran slams earlier proposed US 15-point peace plan, says it now has its own demands ahead of Trump’s deadline
"People the US is negotiating with are reasonable and not as radicalized," he said.
Moreover, Trump defended the possibility of strikes on Iranian infrastructure, dismissing concerns over potential war crimes in stark terms. He also claimed that Iran may now be seeking a ceasefire as it faces mounting pressure, saying it is “getting obliterated.”
“I’ve given them chances and they haven’t taken them,” he said, while indicating that diplomatic engagement could still be underway through multiple channels, adding that Vice President JD Vance could also be involved in talks.
Trump had on Monday issued a stark warning on his Truth Social platform, giving Iran 48 hours to either reach a deal or reopen the strategic shipping lane, cautioning that failure to comply would trigger "hell".
The latest ultimatum follows a series of shifting deadlines, including a prior 10-day window and a temporary pause on potential strikes on Iranian energy infrastructure.
A senior Iranian commander, speaking from the Khatam al-Anbiya Central Headquarters, described the US president’s earlier warnings as “a helpless, nervous, unbalanced and stupid action,” according to media reports.
Also Read | Iran rejects Trump's 48-hour ultimatum, calls it 'helpless' and 'unbalanced'
Meanwhile, Iran’s Foreign Ministry said it has drawn up its own set of demands in response to proposals conveyed through intermediaries, rejecting key elements of the US-backed framework.
Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmail Baghaei reportedly described the 15-point plan as “extremely ambitious and illogical,” indicating that Iran is unwilling to accept what it views as excessive conditions. He added that Tehran’s response would be made public at an appropriate time.
Iran also raised concerns over recent developments, warning that certain operations, including what it referred to as a “pilot rescue in Isfahan," could be attempts to target its enriched uranium reserves.
Officials further cautioned that any ceasefire without guarantees could allow the opposing side to regroup and resume hostilities.
Baghaei reiterated that negotiations cannot proceed under pressure, stressing that threats to target infrastructure would be treated as violations of international law. He added that Iran remains focused on national defence even as diplomatic channels stay open alongside military considerations.
Speaking after previously pushing the deadline to 8 pm Washington DC time, Trump said Tuesday would mark the final cutof. “Tuesday is the final deadline… not good enough,” he said, according to Reuters while describing the latest proposal as “significant.”
Follow live updates from the West Asia war.
The US president further suggested that the West Asia conflict could come to a rapid end if Iran complies with key demands.
“War could end very quickly if they do the things they need to do,” he said. "
“When the Iranian people don't hear bombs go off, they get upset. They want to hear bombs because they want to be free... If they protest or go out in the streets, they would immediately be shot... I am very upset with a certain group of people and they are going to pay a very big price for that. The Iranian people will fight back as soon as they know they are not going to be shot at and as soon as they have weapons," he added.
“War is about one thing - Iran cannot have nuclear weapons,” Trump asserted, underlining the administration’s red line in the ongoing standoff.
At the same time, the two-time president struck a cautiously optimistic note on diplomacy, saying that US negotiators are engaging with counterparts he described as “reasonable” and “not as radicalized."
Also Read | 'Extremely ambitious and illogical': Iran slams earlier proposed US 15-point peace plan, says it now has its own demands ahead of Trump’s deadline
"People the US is negotiating with are reasonable and not as radicalized," he said.
Moreover, Trump defended the possibility of strikes on Iranian infrastructure, dismissing concerns over potential war crimes in stark terms. He also claimed that Iran may now be seeking a ceasefire as it faces mounting pressure, saying it is “getting obliterated.”
“I’ve given them chances and they haven’t taken them,” he said, while indicating that diplomatic engagement could still be underway through multiple channels, adding that Vice President JD Vance could also be involved in talks.
Trump had on Monday issued a stark warning on his Truth Social platform, giving Iran 48 hours to either reach a deal or reopen the strategic shipping lane, cautioning that failure to comply would trigger "hell".
The latest ultimatum follows a series of shifting deadlines, including a prior 10-day window and a temporary pause on potential strikes on Iranian energy infrastructure.
Iran continues to reject US demands
However, Iran’s central military command has dismissed Trump’s latest ultimatum, signalling no immediate breakthrough in talks.A senior Iranian commander, speaking from the Khatam al-Anbiya Central Headquarters, described the US president’s earlier warnings as “a helpless, nervous, unbalanced and stupid action,” according to media reports.
Also Read | Iran rejects Trump's 48-hour ultimatum, calls it 'helpless' and 'unbalanced'
Meanwhile, Iran’s Foreign Ministry said it has drawn up its own set of demands in response to proposals conveyed through intermediaries, rejecting key elements of the US-backed framework.
Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmail Baghaei reportedly described the 15-point plan as “extremely ambitious and illogical,” indicating that Iran is unwilling to accept what it views as excessive conditions. He added that Tehran’s response would be made public at an appropriate time.
Iran also raised concerns over recent developments, warning that certain operations, including what it referred to as a “pilot rescue in Isfahan," could be attempts to target its enriched uranium reserves.
Officials further cautioned that any ceasefire without guarantees could allow the opposing side to regroup and resume hostilities.
Baghaei reiterated that negotiations cannot proceed under pressure, stressing that threats to target infrastructure would be treated as violations of international law. He added that Iran remains focused on national defence even as diplomatic channels stay open alongside military considerations.
