US President Donald Trump on Wednesday (local time) said he does not like setting deadlines when asked whether he had issued Iran an ultimatum before ordering strikes, while warning that Tehran “better behave” as tensions continue to escalate in West Asia.
Speaking after arriving in Pennsylvania for the Pennsylvania Defence and Innovation Summit, Trump said, “I don’t like giving deadlines, but they pretty much know—they know the story. They better behave.”
His remarks follow a Fox News interview on Tuesday in which he warned that the United States would target Iranian power plants and bridges “next week” unless Tehran returns to the negotiating table. Trump also warned that Iran would not “have anybody left” if it failed to reach an agreement with Washington.
“We’re going to hit them very hard tomorrow night. We’re going to hit them very hard the night after, and then next week it gets really bad for them, because next week comes the power plants. Next week comes the bridges. We’re going to knock out all their power plants. We’re going to knock out all their bridges unless they get to the table and negotiate,” Trump said.
The comments come as US military operations against Iran continue following the collapse of a memorandum of understanding between Washington and Tehran that had sought to end hostilities in the region.
According to CNN, US and Iranian representatives remain in contact, but the Trump administration has maintained that negotiations cannot move forward while Iran continues to restrict maritime traffic through the Strait of Hormuz.
Asked how long the military campaign would continue, Trump said the strikes would persist until he decides otherwise. He also declined to rule out deploying American ground troops, although he suggested he preferred alternative approaches.
“Sometimes you need a ground campaign, but we have other people that will do the ground campaign for us,” he said.
Trump reiterated his call for Iran to reach a deal with the United States, warning of severe consequences if it refused.
“You better make a deal. You’re not going to have anybody left,” he said.
The US President also said Washington was taking precautions to minimise civilian casualties during its military operations.
“We’re being very careful with the civilian population,” Trump said, adding that the warning had been conveyed during the latest communication between US and Iranian officials, which he said took place “about an hour ago.”
When asked whether he believed Iran would agree to a deal, Trump replied, “They should. I don’t know if they will or not.”
Meanwhile, the US Central Command said it has resumed a naval blockade targeting vessels travelling to and from Iranian ports and coastal areas, hours after carrying out another round of strikes against Iran amid the escalating regional tensions.
-ANI
