Iran has issued a stark warning to US President Donald Trump and his Gulf allies, signaling a potential escalation in the already volatile situation centered on the Strait of Hormuz.
Iran’s state-run Fars News Agency, citing a source, claimed that immediate retaliation was being prepared according to the reports.
“Tonight, special actions are planned for Tel Aviv and some regional allies of the US and Israel that will completely remove the hope of negotiation from the minds of the aggressors.”
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The statement underscores growing concerns that diplomatic channels may be closed, even as public rhetoric continues to point to possible negotiations.
Trump says there is “strong progress” in talks with Iran.
Trump said on Monday (March 23) that the United States had “very, very strong negotiations” with Iran, suggesting the two sides were close to a deal that could ease tensions in the Middle East.
Speaking to reporters in Florida before flying to Memphis, Trump said:
“We’ve had very, very strong negotiations. We’ll see where they go. We have major points of agreement … almost all points of agreement.”
Trump confirmed that US officials had met with senior Iranian leaders without naming them, saying:
“They want to make a deal and we’re very willing to make a deal.”
He noted that his Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff and son-in-law Jared Kushner were involved in the talks.
Trump had earlier announced a five-day delay to planned US strikes on Iran’s energy infrastructure, calling the discussions “good and productive” and aimed at a “full and complete resolution of our hostilities in the Middle East”.
Iran has not yet confirmed the talks
Despite Trump’s claims, Iran has not officially confirmed any negotiations. Mehr News Agency, a semi-official outlet, reported that no talks are currently underway. And Iran’s parliament speaker Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf denied any talks had taken place between Iran and the United States, accusing the US of spreading disinformation to influence global financial and oil markets, amid heightened geopolitical tensions in the region.
