US President Donald Trump has warned Iran that time is running out to reach a deal to end the conflict, as negotiations between the two sides remain deadlocked.
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In a post on his Truth Social platform, Donald Trump said Iran needed to act quickly. “They better get moving, FAST, or there won't be anything left of them,” he wrote, adding that “TIME IS OF THE ESSENCE!”
The message came shortly before the US president was scheduled to speak with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Sunday as efforts to revive peace talks continue.
Iranian media reported that Washington had not made meaningful concessions in its latest response to proposals from Tehran aimed at ending the conflict.
The semi-official Mehr News Agency said the US position risked creating an “impasse in the negotiations” because of the lack of compromise.
Disputes Over Negotiation Terms
Trump’s warning echoed earlier remarks in which he said an entire civilisation could be destroyed if Iran failed to reach an agreement. Those comments were made shortly before a ceasefire was declared in early April to allow negotiations to take place.
Earlier this week, the president also said the truce was on “massive life support” after rejecting Iranian proposals he described as “totally unacceptable”.
Iranian officials have defended their position. Foreign ministry spokesperson Esmail Baghaei said Tehran’s proposals were “responsible” and “generous”.
According to the semi-official Tasnim News Agency, Iran’s demands included an immediate end to hostilities on all fronts. The request referred in part to continuing Israeli attacks on the Iran-backed militant group Hezbollah in Lebanon.
Tehran also called for an end to the US naval blockade of Iranian ports and assurances that further attacks on the country would not occur.
Iranian media reported that the proposals additionally sought compensation for damage caused during the war and emphasised Iranian sovereignty over the strategically important Strait of Hormuz.
US Conditions and Nuclear Dispute
Iran’s semi-official Fars News Agency reported that Washington had responded with five conditions.
Among them was a demand that Iran operate only one nuclear facility and transfer its stockpile of highly enriched uranium to the United States.
Trump suggested on Friday that he might accept a 20-year suspension of Iran’s nuclear programme. The comment appeared to signal a shift from an earlier demand that Tehran permanently abandon the programme, which has long been a central point of disagreement between the two countries.
Ongoing Tensions Despite Ceasefire
Israeli and US forces began large-scale air strikes on Iran on 28 February. A ceasefire was later agreed in early April with the aim of allowing diplomatic negotiations to proceed.
While the truce has largely held, there have been occasional exchanges of fire.
Iran has also maintained control of the Strait of Hormuz, a key shipping route through which roughly 20% of the world’s oil and liquefied natural gas supplies pass.
The move has effectively closed the vital waterway and pushed global oil prices higher. Iranian officials say the action is a response to US and Israeli military operations.
At the same time, the United States has enforced a naval blockade on Iranian ports in an attempt to pressure Tehran into accepting its conditions.
Mediation Efforts Continue
Diplomatic efforts to bridge the gap between the two sides are continuing. Pakistan has been acting as a mediator between Washington and Tehran.
However, reports from both Iranian and international sources suggest that the two sides remain far apart on key issues, leaving the outcome of the negotiations uncertain.
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Adapted by ASEAN Now. Source 18 May 2026
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