By Pete Oket
US President Donald Trump has warned Iran of military action and economic penalties if it refuses to strike a new nuclear agreement with Washington.
In an
interview with NBC News, Mr Trump said that while US and Iranian officials were
engaged in talks, a failure to reach a deal could lead to severe consequences.
"If
they don't make a deal, there will be bombing," he said. "It will be
bombing the likes of which they have never seen before."
He also
suggested imposing secondary tariffs on Iran, similar to those he introduced in
his previous term. "There's a chance that if they don't make a deal, I
will do secondary tariffs on them like I did four years ago," he added.
Diplomatic
Deadlock
Iran
has rejected direct negotiations with the United States but has indicated that
indirect talks can continue through mediators. Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein
Amir-Abdollahian said last week that Tehran had responded to a letter from Mr
Trump via Oman, reiterating its stance against direct engagement while facing
economic and military pressure.
President
Masoud Pezeshkian reaffirmed this position on Sunday, stating: "Direct
negotiations with the US have been rejected, but Iran has always engaged in
indirect talks. The Supreme Leader has emphasised that these can still
continue."
Escalating
Tensions
Mr
Trump withdrew the US from the 2015 nuclear deal during his first term,
reimposing strict sanctions on Iran. In response, Tehran significantly expanded
its uranium enrichment programme beyond the agreed limits, raising concerns
among Western powers that it could be pursuing nuclear weapons capability.
Iran
insists that its nuclear programme is solely for civilian energy purposes, but
its activities have fuelled tensions with Washington and its allies.
During
the NBC interview, Mr Trump also hinted at imposing secondary tariffs on Russia
and Iran, though he did not provide further details.
The
White House has not yet responded to Mr Trump’s remarks, but the threats add to
the ongoing diplomatic deadlock over Iran’s nuclear ambitions.
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