Trump warns 'clock is ticking' for Iran as peace progress stalls

6 minutes ago

Ella Kipling

Trump had labelled Iran's counter-offer to US proposals to end the war 'garbage'

US President Donald Trump has warned Iran the "clock is ticking" as talks to bring the war to an end have stalled.

"They better get moving, FAST, or there won't be anything left of them," he wrote on his Truth Social platform. "TIME IS OF THE ESSENCE!"

The message came as the president was due to speak with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Sunday.

Trump warned earlier this week that the ceasefire in place since early April was on "massive life support" after rejecting Tehran's demands to end the war.

Trump had labelled the Iranian counter to US proposals "totally unacceptable".

Esmail Baghaei, an Iranian foreign ministry spokesperson, insisted it was "responsible" and "generous".

According to Iran's semi-official Tasnim news agency, it includes an immediate end to the war on all fronts - a reference to the continued Israeli attacks against Iran-supported Hezbollah in Lebanon - a halt to the US naval blockade of Iranian ports, and guarantees of no further attacks on Iran.

It also reportedly includes a demand for compensation for war damage and an emphasis on Iranian sovereignty over the Strait of Hormuz.

Israeli and US forces began massive air strikes on Iran on 28 February.

A ceasefire meant to facilitate talks has been in place since 8 April, and has largely been observed despite occasional exchanges of fire.

Pakistan has been playing the role of mediator between the US and Iran, but both sides still appear to be far apart.

Trump suggested on Friday that he would accept a 20-year suspension by Iran of its nuclear programme - a major sticking point between the two countries - in what appeared to be confirmation of a shift in position away from a demand for a total end to it.

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