Trump Says US May Strike Iran Again If Deal Fails In Two Or Three Days

President Donald Trump said the United States may strike Iran again after he postponed a scheduled attack, telling reporters at the White House he was "an hour away" from relaunching Washington's attacks before ordering them held back.

Trump set a deadline of "two or three days" for resuming strikes if a deal was not agreed, adding "Maybe Friday, Saturday, Sunday, maybe early next week" while insisting "we can't let them [Iran] have nuclear weapons."

Al Jazeera

Vice President JD Vance said the United States was "locked and loaded" but still pursuing a diplomatic solution, arguing that "it takes two to tango" as negotiations continued.

The ceasefire Trump announced on April 8 was extended indefinitely on May 22, and the RFE/RL account tied the extension to what Trump said was a request from Pakistan, which is mediating in the conflict.

Iran's army spokesman Mohammad Akraminia warned the Islamic republic would "open new fronts against" the United States if Trump restarted attacks, and he said Iran used the ceasefire as an opportunity "to strengthen its combat capabilities."

Trump also told reporters that he hoped "we don't have to do the war" but suggested a new strike could be necessary, saying "we may have to give them another big hit."

Al-Monitor

Kazem Gharibabadi, Iran's deputy foreign minister, wrote on X that Trump's comments meant the US leader was "calling a 'threat' a 'chance for peace'!"

The France 24 account said Trump instructed the US military to be "prepared to go forward with a full, large-scale assault of Iran, on a moment's notice" if an acceptable deal was not reached.

The CBS News account said Iran conveyed another amended set of terms for a potential peace deal and that Tehran had not yet "discussed any details regarding nuclear matters" as Trump called off the scheduled attack amid "serious negotiations."

In the same CBS account, White House deputy press secretary Anna Kelly said "nothing has changed" and that "Iran must renounce their nuclear ambitions for good," while also asserting that Operation Midnight Hammer had "decimated" Iran's ability to enrich.

RFE/RL reported that the United Arab Emirates said drones that struck the Barakah nuclear power plant on May 17 were launched from Iraqi territory, and it said two drones were intercepted while a third hit a generator near the plant.

NewsNation reported that U.S. Central Command confirmed "84 vessels have now been redirected" and that four vessels have been disabled since the start of the naval blockade against Iran, as the administration also announced sanctions under "Operation Economic Fury" targeting Iranian financial and shipping networks.