Trump Says He Can Wait a Few More Days on Iran, But Tensions Could Escalate Quickly Without a Deal

Key News on the US-Iran War, Central Message (CNA Dubai/Washington, 20th, Comprehensive Foreign Report) — US President Donald Trump stated today that if Iran does not agree to sign a peace agreement, the United States is prepared to launch further attacks on Tehran, but he also hinted that Washington could wait a few more days to "get the right answer." According to reports from Reuters and AFP, Trump told the media that the current situation is "totally at a tipping point" and could escalate quickly. Trump had previously suspended the military strike against Iran, "Operation Epic Fury," based on a ceasefire that took effect on April 8. However, while combat has paused over the past six weeks, the war of words has intensified, and negotiations to end the war have made limited progress. At Joint Base Andrews near Washington, Trump said, "Believe me, if we don't get the right answer, it's going to go very quickly. We are all set." As for how long he is willing to wait, Trump said, "It could be a matter of days, but it could also happen very quickly." Trump reiterated that Iran will never be allowed to have nuclear weapons. He earlier told the media, "We're getting to the final stages of the Iran issue, and we will be watching developments closely. It's either going to be a deal, or we're going to take some of the less gentle approaches, but hopefully it doesn't come to that." He said, "Ideally, I'd rather have fewer casualties than more." He added that the US is prepared regardless of which path Iran chooses. Trump has repeatedly threatened to use military force again, and Iranian officials have responded with even stronger language. The Revolutionary Guards warned today that if "acts of aggression against Iran happen again," future conflict will spread beyond the Middle East region, and "our devastating strikes will destroy you." Despite mutual threats and sporadic incidents of violence, dialogues mediated by Pakistan are still ongoing in the hope of formally ending this war. Currently, the future of the Hormuz Strait remains the thorniest issue in the negotiations. As pre-war crude oil inventories are depleted, concerns are growing about further impacts on the global economy. Furthermore, the Hormuz Strait transports approximately one-third of the world's fertilizer, raising concerns that continued blockage of the waterway will lead to rising food prices and shortages. The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations tod