ENUGU, Nigeria (VOICE OF NAIJA)- United States President Donald Trump has warned that Washington could resume bombing Iran at a “much higher level and intensity” if ongoing talks aimed at ending the war collapse.
Trump issued the warning as tensions remained high in the Middle East despite renewed diplomatic efforts to end months of conflict involving the US, Israel and Iran.
The US president, however, expressed optimism that a deal could still be reached.
“We’ve had very good talks over the last 24 hours, and it’s very possible that we’ll make a deal,” Trump told reporters on Wednesday.
The warning came after Iran denied accusations that it attacked a South Korean cargo vessel in the Strait of Hormuz earlier this week.
Tehran’s embassy in Seoul rejected claims that Iranian forces were behind an explosion aboard the Panama-flagged HMM Namu, which caught fire on Monday while passing through the strategic waterway with 24 crew members onboard.
Trump, however, alleged that Iran had “taken some shots” at the vessel and called on South Korea to support US-led operations aimed at restoring shipping activities through the strait.
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The conflict, which began in late February following coordinated military operations by the United States and Israel, has triggered attacks across the Middle East and disrupted movement in the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s most important oil routes.
The crisis rattled global energy markets as Iran imposed restrictions around the waterway.
Although Trump recently suspended a military operation intended to reopen the strait, reports suggest both countries remain locked in difficult negotiations.
Iran’s Foreign Ministry spokesman, Esmaeil Baqaei, said a fresh US proposal was still under review and that Tehran would communicate its position through mediator Pakistan after concluding internal consultations.
Iranian parliament speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf accused Washington of attempting to force Iran into surrender through economic pressure, naval blockades and media campaigns.
According to reports by Axios, officials close to the negotiations said both sides were nearing agreement on a one-page memorandum designed to end the war and create a framework for future nuclear talks.
Pakistan’s Prime Minister, Shehbaz Sharif, expressed optimism that the ongoing momentum could produce a lasting peace agreement for the region.
Meanwhile, French President Emmanuel Macron urged Iran to stop attacks on civilian infrastructure and shipping routes near the Strait of Hormuz.
During a phone conversation with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, Macron called for the immediate reopening of the strategic waterway without conditions.
Pezeshkian, however, insisted that any full reopening would depend on the lifting of the US naval blockade.
France has also moved its aircraft carrier, the French aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle, towards the southern Red Sea as part of preparations for a possible multinational mission to secure navigation around the strait.
The operation is reportedly being coordinated by Macron and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, with over 40 countries participating in military planning.
Despite the tensions, global investors reacted positively to signs of possible diplomatic progress.
Major US stock indexes, including the S&P 500 and Nasdaq, closed at record highs, while Asian markets also surged on hopes that a peace agreement could ease disruptions to global oil supplies.
On the Lebanese front, Israel carried out fresh strikes on Beirut’s southern suburbs on Wednesday, reportedly killing a senior Hezbollah commander linked to the group’s elite Radwan force.
Lebanon’s health ministry said at least 11 people were killed in attacks across southern and eastern parts of the country.
The Israeli military also confirmed that four of its soldiers were wounded by an explosive drone strike in southern Lebanon.