WASHINGTON — US President Donald Trump has issued a fresh warning to Iran after meeting senior members of his national security team, signalling that Washington could be preparing for further military action as tensions escalate across the Middle East.
“For Iran, the clock is ticking, and they better get moving, FAST, or there won’t be anything left of them. TIME IS OF THE ESSENCE!” Trump wrote on social media on Sunday.
According to a CNN report, Trump met senior national security officials over the weekend to discuss “the path forward on the Iran war” and was expected to hold another meeting early this week.
Fox News Digital reported that Trump is expected to convene a Situation Room meeting on Tuesday with top advisers to discuss “potential military options against Iran”.
The latest warning comes amid growing frustration within the White House over stalled diplomatic negotiations and the continued closure of the Strait of Hormuz, a critical global oil shipping route.
CNN reported that Trump had “grown increasingly impatient” with Tehran’s handling of negotiations and remained frustrated by “the continued closure of the Strait of Hormuz and its impact on global oil prices”.
Iran, meanwhile, has indicated that it is still pursuing negotiations. Fox News Digital, citing Iranian state media, reported that Tehran had sent a new “14-point plan” to Washington through Pakistani mediators.
According to Tasnim News Agency, the proposal focused on ending the conflict and included “confidence-building measures by the American side”.
However, Fox News Digital reported that the proposal did not mention concessions regarding Iran’s nuclear programme, which remains central to Trump’s demands.
“The standoff centres on Iran’s nuclear programme and weapons ambitions,” the Fox News Digital report said.
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian acknowledged that the country had “suffered harm” from recent US attacks, but insisted that Tehran would not surrender under pressure.
“It is not the case that we have not suffered harm,” Pezeshkian said during a televised meeting of Iran’s Government Information Council, according to Fox News Digital.
“Misleading information, false messaging, or portraying a reality in which ‘they are collapsing while we are prospering’ is unacceptable,” he added.
At the same time, Pezeshkian stressed that Iran “will not bow to pressure”.
“We will not sacrifice our country’s dignity and honour for comfort or convenience. We have valid reasons and clear justification, and we are fully capable of defending our nation’s rights with strength, backed by our people,” he said.
The regional situation also appeared to be deteriorating. Fox News Digital reported that Israel carried out dozens of strikes in Lebanon over the past 24 hours, according to the Israeli Defense Forces, while the UAE condemned what it described as a “terrorist attack” on its Barakah nuclear power plant.
Fox News Digital also reported growing strains within the Abraham Accords framework, the US-backed regional grouping intended to counter Iran.
The renewed crisis is being closely watched in India because of its direct implications for energy security and regional stability. India imports a substantial portion of its crude oil through the Strait of Hormuz, making disruptions in the Gulf a major concern for policymakers and markets in New Delhi.
India has traditionally maintained ties with both the United States and Iran, while also expanding strategic relations with Israel and Gulf countries in recent years. Rising tensions in West Asia have repeatedly affected global oil prices, shipping routes and the safety of Indian nationals working across the region. – IANS
