Trump Warns Iran of Existential Threat Over Unaccepted Peace Deal

President Donald Trump told reporters on the White House South Lawn that Iran must either sign “a very fair deal” or “won’t exist any longer.” The remark was made on a Thursday as the president prepared to travel to Oklahoma. He linked the ultimatum to Iran’s alleged involvement in a recent attempted crash of an Israel-bound flight that originated in Dubai, saying he was “working on it right now.”

The Hill

Earlier in the week, Trump rejected a new Iranian peace proposal, describing it as “just not good enough, nearly.” The offer, presented to the United States, would have opened only limited sections of the Strait of Hormuz, a critical maritime chokepoint. Trump also noted that any proposal he would consider now must have been acceptable a year earlier, signaling a hardening stance on Tehran’s diplomatic overtures. The president referenced a conversation with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu about the alleged aircraft incident, underscoring the broader security concerns that frame the negotiation deadlock.

The Hill

Trump emphasized that the United States would not entertain a deal that fails to meet his criteria, adding that a refusal could lead to renewed bombing of Iranian targets after the upcoming November midterm elections. He reiterated his willingness to act decisively, stating that the decision point was imminent and that the United States was “working on it right now” regarding the alleged flight sabotage.

The Hill

• “Now I have to make a decision. They’ll either sign a very fair deal, or they won’t exist any longer,” — President Trump

The Hill

• “It’s just not good enough, nearly,” — President Trump

The Hill

The president indicated that a resumption of air strikes against Iran could occur following the November elections if Tehran does not comply with his demands. No concrete timeline for a new diplomatic initiative was provided, leaving the prospect of heightened U.S.–Iran tensions unresolved.

The Hill