Trump calls new Iran talks ‘last chance’ to avert escalation

US President Donald Trump has once again warned Iran that it faces a final opportunity to reach an agreement with Washington, saying new talks could determine whether the conflict escalates further.

Speaking at the Oval Office on Monday, Trump said the latest negotiations between the US and Iran represented the “last chance” for Tehran to reach a deal and avert intensified American attacks.

Trump said discussions were expected to address the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz as well as measures to resolve Washington’s concerns over Iran’s nuclear programme. He said more clarity on the talks could emerge “today or tomorrow”.

“The first phase is the opening of the straits. The second phase will be the denuclearisation,” Trump said, adding that the second stage would take more time.

The US president has celebrated the damage inflicted on Iran’s leadership, air force and navy during the conflict. Iran, however, appears to be betting on prolonging the war, as the US faces constraints on its munitions stockpiles and growing political difficulties over a conflict that remains unpopular among American voters ahead of November’s midterm elections.

Trump said he decided against ordering another major wave of strikes on Iran after receiving appeals from Gulf allies, including Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates.

According to Trump, US forces had been preparing for what he described as “the biggest attack since World War II” on Sunday. He said he ultimately cancelled the operation to allow diplomacy more time, following discussions with senior Gulf leaders, including Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, as well as requests from Iranian officials.

Despite backing away from the planned strikes, Trump said his patience with Tehran was running out.

“This is the last chance for them to sign a good document,” he said.

Earlier on Monday, Trump accused Iran of being “unbelievably duplicitous” in a social media post.

His criticism followed Iranian statements that talks with Oman were focused exclusively on establishing a temporary arrangement to ensure safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz, a crucial route for international oil shipments.

Trump objected to Iran’s account of the meetings, saying Tehran had sought talks but was now claiming that discussions were limited to the strait and involved Oman alone.

He insisted that the issue of preventing Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons was also being discussed, whether Tehran acknowledged it or not.

Since US and Israeli attacks on Iran began on February 28, Trump has repeatedly threatened to intensify military action before stepping back from some of those threats.

Asked about the perception that he repeatedly issues severe warnings before retreating from them, Trump said he was exercising restraint because he wanted to minimise Iranian casualties.

He said he wanted to give Tehran “every last chance” before “decapitation”, adding that he hoped Iranian leaders would reconsider their position.

Trump could still decide that a major escalation is necessary. However, critics argue that his repeated hesitation may indicate a growing recognition within his administration that military force alone may not be sufficient to force Iran into submission or bring the months-long conflict to an end.

The war had previously been portrayed by Trump as something that could be resolved within a short period.

Senator Mark Kelly, an Arizona Democrat who serves on the Senate Armed Services Committee, described Trump’s approach as erratic and said the president appeared to be seeking a way to return to the situation before the conflict began.

Trump has followed a similar pattern several times during the war, issuing threats of severe military action before backing down and arguing that his pressure had encouraged diplomatic progress.

In early April, Washington and Tehran agreed to a two-week ceasefire less than two hours before a deadline Trump had set for Iran to capitulate or face attacks on infrastructure, including bridges and power plants.

On May 18, following several days of threats against Tehran, Trump said he was postponing a major planned strike because “serious negotiations” were taking place. He credited Gulf allies with encouraging him to exercise restraint.

In June, Trump threatened to strike Iran “VERY HARD” and seize the energy infrastructure on Kharg Island, saying the US could take control of Iran’s oil and gas markets. He later called off the planned action, saying negotiations with senior Iranian officials had made progress.