US President Donald Trump warns Iran that “time is running out” for a nuclear deal as a US naval strike group arrives in the region, with Tehran rejecting talks under threat.
WASHINGTON: President Donald Trump renewed threats to attack Iran on Wednesday, saying “time is running out” to make a deal on 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,” Trump said in a social media post.
He noted that “a massive armada is heading to Iran” and warned the next attack would be “far worse” than a previous operation.
The dialing up of threats came after Iran’s top diplomat said the country would not negotiate under the shadow of military action.
Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said conducting diplomacy through military threat cannot be effective or useful.
“If they want negotiations to take shape, they must certainly set aside threats, excessive demands and raising illogical issues,” he said in televised comments.
Trump has repeatedly left open the option of new military action against Iran.
This followed Washington backing and joining Israel’s 12-day war in June aimed at degrading Iranian nuclear and ballistic missile programs.
Earlier this month, he threatened to strike Iran over its deadly crackdown on anti-government protests.
The prospect of immediate American action seemed to recede in recent days, with both sides insisting on giving diplomacy a chance.
With a US naval strike group lurking in the region, top Iranian officials reached out to key Arab states in behind-the-scenes diplomacy.
A strike group led by the USS Abraham Lincoln has now arrived in Middle Eastern waters, US Central Command confirmed.
