US President Donald Trump gave Iran a firm warning, saying he would think about bombing the nation if Tehran refuses to agree on its nuclear program. This is after Iran refused to negotiate a new nuclear accord.
Trump's threat marked a major escalation of the US-Iran tensions that have been building since Trump pulled out of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) in 2018. The JCPOA, or Iran nuclear deal, was a historic agreement between Iran, the US, and other global powers that sought to limit Iran's nuclear program in return for relief from economic sanctions.
Iran has insisted that it will not negotiate the JCPOA, and instead, has invited the US back to the initial deal. But Trump has been demanding a new deal that not only covers Iran's nuclear program but also its ballistic missile program and its activities in the region.
The US-Iran standoff has raised fears of a possible military confrontation in the region. Trump's threat has been interpreted as a clear signal that he is ready to take extreme steps to force Iran to comply with his demands.
In reaction to Trump's threat, Iranian officials have pledged to protect their country's sovereignty and interests. Iranian foreign minister Mohammad Javad Zarif has indicated that Iran would not be bullied by Trump's threats and will continue to work on its nuclear program.
The situation is still tense, with both sides entrenched and unwilling to give way. The world is observing the situation closely, with most demanding a diplomatic resolution to the crisis.