WASHINGTON, United States — US President Donald Trump has warned Iran that “the clock is ticking” as negotiations aimed at ending months of escalating conflict in the Middle East appeared to stall over competing ceasefire and nuclear demands.
In a strongly worded statement posted on his Truth Social platform on Sunday, Trump said Tehran risked devastating consequences if it failed to move quickly toward an agreement with Washington.
“They better get moving, FAST, or there won’t be anything left of them,” Trump wrote. “TIME IS OF THE ESSENCE!”
The remarks came shortly after Trump reportedly held talks with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, according to Israeli media reports citing Netanyahu’s office.
The latest warning signals growing frustration within the US administration over the lack of progress in negotiations intended to formalize a ceasefire and address Iran’s nuclear programme, regional military activities, and control over strategic energy routes.
Iranian state-linked media, however, accused Washington of failing to offer meaningful concessions in response to Tehran’s latest proposals.
The semi-official Mehr News Agency reported that the US response lacked concrete compromises and warned the talks could reach an “impasse” if Washington maintained its current position.
Trump’s latest remarks echoed previous threats made before the ceasefire announced in early April, when he warned that an entire “civilisation” could perish unless Iran accepted a deal.
Earlier this week, the US president also described the fragile truce as being on “massive life support” after rejecting Iranian demands he labelled “totally unacceptable.”
Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmail Baghaei defended Tehran’s proposals, insisting they were “responsible” and “generous.”
According to Iran’s semi-official Tasnim News Agency, Tehran’s demands include an immediate halt to hostilities across the region, including Israeli military operations against the Iran-backed Hezbollah in Lebanon.
Iran also reportedly demanded an end to the US naval blockade of its ports, guarantees against future attacks, compensation for war-related damages, and recognition of Iranian sovereignty over the strategically critical Strait of Hormuz.
The Strait of Hormuz remains central to the crisis because roughly 20pc of global oil and liquefied natural gas shipments pass through the narrow waterway.
Iran’s continued control and effective closure of the route in retaliation for US and Israeli strikes have disrupted global energy markets and driven up international oil prices.
Meanwhile, Iran’s semi-official Fars News Agency reported that Washington had submitted five conditions in response to Tehran’s proposals.
Among the reported US demands are limits allowing Iran to operate only one nuclear facility and a requirement that Tehran transfer its stockpile of highly enriched uranium to the United States.
In a possible softening of Washington’s stance, Trump suggested on Friday that he could support a 20-year suspension of Iran’s nuclear programme instead of demanding its total dismantlement, a position long opposed by Tehran.
The current conflict escalated sharply after Israeli and US forces launched coordinated air strikes on Iran on February 28, targeting military and nuclear-linked infrastructure.
Although a ceasefire was later announced to facilitate negotiations, sporadic exchanges of fire have continued in parts of the region.
The US has simultaneously maintained pressure through sanctions and maritime restrictions targeting Iranian trade and oil exports.
