President Donald Trump of the United States issued a stark warning to Iran on Sunday via his Truth Social platform, cautioning that the window for reaching an agreement is closing swiftly. He emphasized that the repercussions of failing to act would be catastrophic for the Islamic Republic.
"Iran's time is ticking away, and they better get moving—quickly!—or there will be nothing left of them. Time is of the essence!" Trump declared, as reported by EFE news agency.
This warning comes amidst a ceasefire that has been in place since April 8, 2026, yet Trump himself has described it as "incredibly fragile."
Background of the Conflict
The conflict erupted on February 28, 2026, when the United States and Israel initiated Operation Epic Fury, targeting over 2,000 sites within Iran with the stated aim of dismantling Tehran's military capabilities and curtailing its nuclear program.
Negotiation Stalemate
In a Fox News interview following his recent return from Beijing, Trump blamed Iran for the stalled negotiations, accusing Tehran of consistently backtracking on agreements.
"Every time we discuss, they agree to everything and then pull back. They promised us their nuclear material and everything we wanted, but after every deal, they act as if we never had that conversation," the president remarked, indicating this pattern has occurred at least five times.
On Saturday, Trump also shared an AI-generated image on Truth Social depicting him surrounded by warships under a stormy sky, accompanied by the phrase "it has been the calm before the storm," fueling speculation about a possible resumption of hostilities.
Contentious Negotiation Points
The negotiations are fraught with significant disagreements. The United States demands Iran hand over 440 kilograms of uranium enriched to 60%, limit its nuclear program to just one active facility, and waive economic compensation for war damages, as reported by Iran's Fars agency.
In response, Iran proposed a three-phase plan along with a 15-year pause in uranium enrichment, which Trump dismissed on May 11 as "completely unacceptable," reiterating that the U.S. seeks a "total victory."
Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth refrained from detailing military plans during his testimony before the House of Representatives and the Senate this week, merely stating, "We have a plan to escalate measures if necessary. We have a plan to reverse the situation if necessary. We have a plan to reallocate resources."
Iran, meanwhile, has warned that it could increase uranium enrichment to 90%—the level required for weaponization—if attacked again, according to parliamentary statements cited by Reuters.
On Sunday, Trump is expected to discuss the situation with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, as well as the outcomes of his trip to Beijing, where he also spoke with Chinese President Xi Jinping about the Iranian issue and the security of the Strait of Hormuz.
Key Questions About the U.S.-Iran Tensions
What was the objective of Operation Epic Fury?
Operation Epic Fury aimed to dismantle Iran's military capabilities and halt its nuclear program by targeting over 2,000 sites within the country.
Why did Trump describe the ceasefire as "incredibly fragile"?
Trump considers the ceasefire fragile due to ongoing tensions and the lack of a solid agreement between the U.S. and Iran, which could lead to renewed hostilities.
How has Iran responded to U.S. demands in negotiations?
Iran proposed a three-phase plan including a 15-year pause in uranium enrichment, which was rejected by Trump as "completely unacceptable."