President Donald Trump has said the US will start bombing Iran “at a much higher level and intensity” than before the ceaasefire if Iran does not agree on a deal.
The threat comes hours after Trump paused the US military’s “Project Freedom” operation to open the Strait of Hormuz, due to “great progress” being made towards a “complete and final agreement with the representatives of Iran”.
Trump said the operation will be paused for “a short period” to see if an agreement with Tehran can be finalised.
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said the US is pursuing “a policy of maximum pressure” and “expects Iran to submit to their unilateral demands”, which is “impossible” for Tehran.
A Pakistani source involved in peace efforts has been quoted by Reuters as saying the US and Iran are closing in on a one-page memo to end the war, confirming an earlier report by Axios.
Iran has accused US forces of killing five civilians in an attack on passenger boats in the Strait of Hormuz, as opposed to fast boats operated by the IRGC.
Israel has continued to strike southern Lebanon, while also issuing new forced orders for people to flee their towns and villages in advance of Israeli strikes.