Trump Warns Iran ‘Time Is Running Out’ as Peace Talks Stall

Tensions between the United States and Iran escalated again after US President Donald Trump warned that “the clock is ticking” for Tehran as negotiations aimed at ending the conflict showed little sign of progress. Posting on his Truth Social platform, Trump said Iran must “get moving, FAST, or there won’t be anything left of them,” adding that “TIME IS OF THE ESSENCE!” His remarks came amid growing concerns that ongoing diplomatic efforts could collapse entirely.

The warning followed a reported phone conversation between Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Sunday, according to Israeli media reports citing Netanyahu’s office. The two leaders are believed to have discussed the stalled negotiations and the broader security situation in the Middle East as tensions remain high despite a ceasefire announced earlier this year.

Iranian media claimed Washington had failed to offer meaningful concessions in response to Tehran’s latest proposals. The semi-official Mehr news agency reported that the lack of compromise from the United States could push negotiations into an “impasse,” deepening uncertainty over the future of the fragile truce.

Trump’s latest comments echoed earlier warnings in which he said an entire civilization could be at risk if Iran refused to agree to terms for ending the conflict. Earlier this week, he described the ceasefire as being on “massive life support” after rejecting Tehran’s demands as “totally unacceptable.”

Iranian foreign ministry spokesperson Esmail Baghaei defended Tehran’s proposals, calling them “responsible” and “generous.” According to reports from Iran’s semi-official Tasnim news agency, the proposals included an immediate halt to military operations on all fronts, including Israeli strikes against Iran-backed Hezbollah forces in Lebanon. Tehran also reportedly demanded an end to the US naval blockade of Iranian ports and guarantees against future attacks.

Additional demands reportedly included compensation for war-related damage and recognition of Iranian sovereignty over the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz. The waterway remains one of the world’s most critical energy routes, carrying nearly 20% of global oil and liquefied natural gas shipments.

Iran’s semi-official Fars news agency reported that Washington responded with five conditions of its own. Among them were demands that Iran maintain only one active nuclear facility and transfer its stockpile of highly enriched uranium to the United States. Trump appeared to signal some flexibility on Friday when he suggested he could accept a 20-year suspension of Iran’s nuclear programme rather than insisting on a complete dismantling. The nuclear issue remains one of the central obstacles in negotiations between the two sides.

The conflict intensified after Israeli and US forces launched large-scale air strikes on Iran on 28 February. Although a ceasefire was later introduced to create space for diplomatic talks, sporadic exchanges of fire have continued. Iran has also maintained control over the Strait of Hormuz, effectively disrupting shipping traffic through the region. Tehran says the move is retaliation for attacks carried out by US and Israeli forces. The disruption has caused global oil prices to surge and increased concerns about energy security worldwide.

Meanwhile, the United States has continued enforcing a blockade on Iranian ports in an effort to pressure Tehran into accepting Washington’s conditions. Pakistan has reportedly been acting as a mediator between both sides, though major differences remain unresolved as negotiations continue.