US President Donald Trump has warned that Iran will have to “pay the price” for delaying negotiations over the conflict in the Middle East, marking a sharp reversal from his optimistic assessment just a day earlier.
In a post on his Truth Social platform on Wednesday, Trump declared the Iranian military “completely defeated” and accused Tehran of missing an opportunity to secure favourable terms.
“The Bully of the Middle East is DEAD!!! They’ve taken too long to negotiate a deal that would have been great for them, now they will have to pay the price!!!” Trump wrote.
The comments came after US and Iranian forces exchanged fire, threatening a fragile ceasefire that took effect in April. On Tuesday, Trump had told reporters that negotiations on an enduring settlement were in their “final throes” and could be completed within “two or three days”.
Late on Tuesday, US forces conducted strikes against Iran in retaliation for the downing of an American helicopter on Monday. Iranian media reported explosions along the country’s southern coast.
ALSO READ: Iran strikes US bases in Jordan and Bahrain as fragile ceasefire crumbles
US Central Command later confirmed that the US Air Force and Navy had targeted command and control, defence and surveillance stations inside Iran.
Iran responded on Wednesday by attacking American bases in Jordan and Bahrain, according to Iranian officials.
The escalation raises questions about the viability of the April ceasefire and whether diplomatic efforts can prevent a wider regional conflict.
ALSO READ: Trump says negotiators in ‘final throes’ of Middle East peace deal
