New Delhi, May 18: US President Donald Trump has warned Iran that “the clock is ticking” as negotiations aimed at ending the ongoing conflict appeared to have hit a deadlock, according to a report by the BBC.
In a post on his Truth Social platform, Trump said Iran must act quickly to avoid further devastation. “They better get moving, FAST, or there won’t be anything left of them. TIME IS OF THE ESSENCE!” Trump wrote ahead of his scheduled talks with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
The warning came amid growing uncertainty over the future of the ceasefire and diplomatic efforts between Washington and Tehran.
Iranian media reports claimed that the United States had failed to offer any meaningful concessions in response to Tehran’s latest proposals aimed at ending the war. Iran’s semi-official Mehr news agency said the lack of compromise from Washington could lead to an “impasse in the negotiations”.
Trump’s latest remarks resounded his earlier warning that a “whole civilisation” could perish unless Iran agreed to a deal to end hostilities. He had also said earlier this week that the ceasefire was on “massive life support” after rejecting Tehran’s demands, describing them as “totally unacceptable”.
Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmail Baghaei defended Tehran’s proposals, calling them “responsible” and “generous”.
According to Iran’s semi-official Tasnim news agency, Tehran’s conditions included an immediate halt to the war across all fronts, including Israeli military operations against Hezbollah in Lebanon, an end to the US naval blockade of Iranian ports, and guarantees against future attacks on Iran. The proposals also sought compensation for war damages and reaffirmation of Iran’s sovereignty over the strategically important Strait of Hormuz.
Meanwhile, Iran’s semi-official Fars news agency reported that Washington had responded with five conditions, including a demand that Iran retain only one operational nuclear facility and transfer its stockpile of highly enriched uranium to the United States.
In a possible shift in Washington’s stance, Trump indicated on Friday that he could accept a 20-year suspension of Iran’s nuclear programme instead of insisting on its complete dismantling, long considered a key sticking point in negotiations. The tensions have triggered a sharp rise in global oil prices, while the United States has continued enforcing a blockade on Iranian ports to pressure Tehran into accepting its terms.
