Amid escalating tension between US and Iran, President DonaldĀ TrumpĀ on Wednesday (local time) said that he does not like setting deadlines when asked whether he had givenĀ IranĀ any ultimatum before ordering the bombing of its bridges, while warning thatĀ TehranĀ “better behave” amid a renewed exchange of fire between the two sides in WestĀ Ā AsiaĀ following the collapse of the memorandum of understanding aimed at ending the conflict in the region.
I don’t like giving deadlines: Trump on Iran
Responding to a query whenĀ TrumpĀ has given Terhan any deadline before he initiates strikes on civilian assets inside the Islamic Republic,Ā TrumpĀ said, “I don’t like giving deadlines, but they pretty much know–they know the story. They better behave.”
The US president made the remarks after arriving in Pennsylvania, where he is participating in the Pennsylvania Defence and Innovation Summit. Earlier this week, Trump, during an interview with FoxĀ Ā News, warned that the United States would start targetingĀ Iranian power plants and bridges “next week” as part of its border strikes on the Islamic Republic, unlessĀ TehranĀ returns to the negotiating table.
US cautions IranĀ would not “have anybody left” if it failed to reach a deal
Moreover, he cautioned thatĀ IranĀ would not “have anybody left” if it failed to reach a deal 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,”Ā TrumpĀ told Fox News.
Trump’s remarks come as US military strikes onĀ IranĀ have continued following the collapse of the memorandum of understanding between Washington andĀ TehranĀ to end the hostilities in West Asia.
US andĀ Iranian representatives remain in contact
As per the updates from CNN, US andĀ Iranian representatives remain in contact, but theĀ TrumpĀ administration has maintained that negotiations cannot move forward whileĀ IranĀ continues to limit maritime traffic through the Strait of Hormuz.
Asked about the duration of the military campaign,Ā TrumpĀ said the strikes would continue until he decides otherwise. The US President also declined to rule out the possibility of deploying American ground troops toĀ Iran, although he indicated that he preferred other options.”Sometimes you need a ground campaign, but we have other people that will do the ground campaign for us,”Ā TrumpĀ added.
TrumpĀ also increased pressure onĀ TehranĀ to reach an agreement with Washington, warning thatĀ IranĀ faced severe consequences if it refused.”You better make a deal,”Ā TrumpĀ said, adding, “You’re not going to have anybody left.
“TrumpĀ further stated that the US was taking precautions to minimise civilian casualties.”We’re being very careful with the civilian population,”Ā TrumpĀ said, before repeating, “But I said, you better make a deal. You’re not going to have anything left.”
With inputs from ANI
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Trump warns Iran of power plant, bridge strikes if no deal, says ‘You’re not going to have anybody left’