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‘Come to the table or face far worse attack’: Donald Trump warns Iran over nuclear deal
US President Donald Trump on Wednesday issued a stern warning to Iran, urging Tehran to return to negotiations over its nuclear programme or face the prospect of a much stronger American military response.
US President Donald Trump on Wednesday issued a stern warning to Iran, urging Tehran to return to negotiations over its nuclear programme or face the prospect of a much stronger American military response.
In a social media post, Trump called on Iran to reach what he described as a “fair and equitable” agreement that would permanently halt its pursuit of nuclear weapons.
“Hopefully Iran will quickly come to the table and negotiate a fair and equitable deal — no nuclear weapons — one that is good for all parties. Time is running out; it is truly of the essence,” Trump wrote.
Threat of stronger military action
The Republican leader cautioned that failure to negotiate could invite harsher consequences. Referring to earlier military action, he said the next strike would be significantly more severe.
“The next attack will be far worse. Don’t make that happen again,” he said, adding that a US naval “armada,” led by the aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln, was moving closer to the region.
According to US officials, the carrier group and accompanying warships have already arrived in West Asia after redeploying from the Asia-Pacific, as tensions between Washington and Tehran escalated.
Iran denies talks request
Meanwhile, Iran rejected claims of ongoing negotiations. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi said he had not contacted US special envoy Steve Witkoff or requested fresh talks in recent days, according to state media.
However, Iran’s mission to the United States later signalled conditional openness to dialogue.
“Iran stands ready for dialogue based on mutual respect and interests — but if pushed, it will defend itself and respond like never before,” the mission said in a post on X.
Background tensions
Relations between the two countries remain strained after Trump, during his first term, withdrew the US from the 2015 nuclear deal signed between Iran and world powers. The move triggered years of sanctions, military posturing and periodic flare-ups.
Washington has also warned of action if Tehran resumes nuclear activities following earlier airstrikes by Israeli and US forces on key installations.
The tensions come amid internal unrest in Iran, where protests over economic hardship and political repression were recently met with a heavy crackdown.
Iraq reaction
Separately, former Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki criticised what he termed US interference in Iraq’s domestic politics after Trump threatened to withdraw American support if he returns to power.
“We reject the blatant American interference in Iraq’s internal affairs and consider it a violation of sovereignty,” al-Maliki said in a statement.
