President Donald Trump on Wednesday issued a fresh ultimatum to Iran, warning that it must accept a proposed agreement to end the conflict or risk a renewed and intensified wave of US airstrikes, marking another sharp turn in his shifting policy stance.
“Assuming Iran agrees to give what has been agreed to, which is perhaps a big assumption, the already legendary Epic Fury will be at an end,” Trump posted on his Truth Social platform, using the US name for its campaign against Iran.
“If they don’t agree, the bombing starts, and it will be, sadly, at a much higher level and intensity than it was before,” he added.
His remarks followed a report by US news outlet Axios, which claimed that Washington and Tehran were nearing a one-page memorandum of understanding aimed at ending the war and establishing a framework for more detailed nuclear negotiations.
On Tuesday night, Trump also announced a brief suspension of a US military operation designed to escort stranded commercial vessels through the Strait of Hormuz.
The pause came just a day after the operation began, with Trump citing the possibility of reaching a breakthrough deal to end hostilities.
He said the US blockade of Iranian ports would remain in place as Iran continued restricting access to the key maritime route, a situation that has disrupted global markets and driven up fuel prices.
Writing on social media, Trump said the decision to halt the so-called “Project Freedom” shortly after its launch followed appeals from “mediator Pakistan and other countries,” adding that “Great Progress has been made toward a Complete and Final Agreement” with Tehran.
“We have mutually agreed that, while the Blockade will remain in full force and effect, Project Freedom… will be paused for a short period of time to see whether or not the Agreement can be finalized and signed,” Trump wrote late Tuesday.
