Donald Trump said the United States was engaged in “deep negotiations” with Iran and expressed optimism that a deal could be reached before his Tuesday deadline.
“There’s a good chance, but if they don’t come to an agreement, I’m going to blow everything up there,” Trump told Axios.
Trump repeated his warning that failure to reach a deal could lead to major US strikes on Iran’s infrastructure, the news outlet said.
The remarks follow an earlier post on social media in which he threatened to target power plants and bridges if Iran did not reopen the Strait of Hormuz.
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“Civilians would support the strikes,” Trump claims
Asked about the risk to Iranian civilians, Trump said he believed opponents of the government would support such military action.
“They’re living in fear. They’re afraid we’re going to leave in the middle of a war, but we’re not going to leave,” Trump said, according to the paper.
Mediators less optimistic about a breakthrough
Despite Trump’s confidence, mediators involved in the talks are less optimistic about an imminent deal, even as efforts continue, the outlet said.
Diplomatic sources said attempts were underway to secure at least a partial deal that could delay the US ultimatum.
Indirect negotiations continue through several countries
Over the past 10 days, the US and Iran have been conducting indirect negotiations through Pakistan, Egypt and Turkey.
The discussions also included an exchange of text messages between Trump advisers and Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi.
“No significant progress has been made,” reports Axios.
“You’ll never get there” with Iran
Trump said talks were moving forward, but expressed frustration with Tehran’s delays.
“Negotiations are going well, but you will never get there with the Iranians,” he said.
He added that the US was close to direct talks days ago but abandoned the idea after Iran suggested a delay.
Link to earlier US strike
Trump also referred to the recent US strike on infrastructure in Iran, saying it followed delays in negotiations.
“I felt they were not serious. So I attacked the bridge,” he said, referring to the strike on a key route linking Tehran with northern Iran.
Iran warns of retaliation, accuses the US of war crimes
Tehran has accused Trump of planning war crimes and warned it would retaliate with similar attacks on infrastructure in Israel and the Gulf states.
What to watch: Last-minute diplomatic pressure
Officials from Pakistan, Egypt and Turkey are working to broker confidence-building measures.
The foreign ministers of the three countries spoke on the phone with US envoy Steve Witkoff and Iran’s Araghchi, but no breakthrough has been achieved so far.
Tuesday’s deadline is big
With Trump’s term approaching, the focus is now on whether diplomacy can avert further escalation or whether the situation will shift to direct US military action.
Read also | Trump warns of Tuesday strikes on Iranian infrastructure amid Hormuz blockade
