U.S. President Donald Trump has threatened Iran with bombing and secondary tariffs if Tehran does not agree to a nuclear deal. Speaking to NBC News after Iran rejected direct negotiations, Trump warned: “If they don’t make a deal, there will be bombing. It will be bombing the likes of which they have never seen before.” He added he might impose “secondary tariffs on them like I did four years ago.”
Iran Rejects Direct Talks But Open to Indirect Negotiations
Iran responded through Oman to Trump’s letter, refusing direct negotiations while under “maximum pressure” and military threats. President Masoud Pezeshkian stated: “Direct negotiations have been rejected, but Iran has always been involved in indirect negotiations.” He emphasised that Washington must first “rectify its past misconduct” to rebuild trust.
Nuclear Deal Background
During his first term, Trump withdrew from the 2015 Iran nuclear deal and reimposed sweeping sanctions. Since then, Iran has surpassed the agreed limits on uranium enrichment. The IAEA reports Iran has amassed enough fissile material for multiple bombs, though Tehran maintains its nuclear program is solely for civilian energy.
Military Posturing and Regional Tensions
Trump’s bombing threat represents an escalation from his earlier warning that “bad things are going to happen to Iran.” The U.S. has positioned military assets in the region, including bombers at Diego Garcia and an aircraft carrier, potentially preparing for action, possibly in coordination with Israel.
Economic Impact and Possible Negotiations
Sanctions have severely damaged Iran’s economy, causing currency depreciation, high inflation, and unemployment. Despite the tensions, Kamal Kharrazi, an adviser to Ayatollah Khamenei, indicated Tehran had “not closed all doors” and remains “ready for indirect negotiations.”
Nuclear Concerns
Analysts suggest Iran may be weeks away from producing a deliverable nuclear weapon, though Tehran denies this. Iran has enriched uranium to 60% purity and twice fired missiles at Israel in the past year, prompting Israeli strikes on Iranian facilities that reportedly reduced Tehran’s military capabilities—a claim Iran disputes.