[52684] Trump Issues Ultimatum to Iran: End 'Operation Epic Fury' or Escalate Strikes
[52684] Trump issues an ultimatum to Iran: End 'Operation Epic Fury' or escalate strikes
US President Donald Trump sets conditions for ending the confrontation in the Persian Gulf, while Iranian Foreign Minister Araghchi conducts talks in Beijing in an attempt to reach a diplomatic agreement.
Tension in the Gulf: Trump conditions the end of 'Operation Epic Fury' on Iran's consent
US President Donald Trump has issued a clear ultimatum to Iran, as reported extensively on Al Jazeera and the Syrian Free News Network. According to Trump, if Tehran agrees to the proposed outline, "Operation Epic Fury" (عملية الغضب الملحمي) will end, and the Strait of Hormuz will be reopened for free navigation for all countries, including Iran. However, the President warned sharply: "If Iran does not agree, a much higher-intensity bombing will begin," as quoted by the Iraqi News Agency (INA).
Simultaneously, reports on Axios point to advanced contacts for a framework that includes the suspension of uranium enrichment by Iran in exchange for the lifting of sanctions and the release of frozen funds. On the other hand, the US Secretary of Energy clarified on Fox Business that the US will ensure freedom of navigation in the Strait in any case, "whether with an agreement with Iran or without it."
In the diplomatic arena, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi arrived in Beijing for talks with his Chinese counterpart. According to Sputnik Arabic, Araghchi emphasized that "China is a close friend of Iran" and that Iran "will not accept anything but a fair and comprehensive agreement." The Chinese Foreign Minister, for his part, defined the war waged by the US and Israel against Iran as "illegal" and called for direct meetings between the parties in light of the "fateful" situation in the region.
In the background, elements in Iran and the "Axis of Resistance" sphere, as expressed in the South Lebanon - Enemy Monitor channel, present a hardline stance against US policy, while unverified reports on Syria Scope spoke of damage to a cargo ship in the Strait of Hormuz. At the same time, the Iranian Foreign Ministry confirmed that Araghchi spoke by phone with the Saudi Foreign Minister about the need to continue on the diplomatic path to prevent escalation in the region, a report that was also verified by Al-Mamlaka Channel.