U.S. President Donald Trump warned on Sunday that Iran could face bombing and secondary tariffs if it does not reach a nuclear agreement with Washington.
In his first remarks since Iran rejected direct talks with the U.S. last week, Trump told NBC News that officials from both countries were engaged in discussions but did not provide details.
“If they don’t make a deal, there will be bombing—the likes of which they have never seen before,” Trump stated in a phone interview. He also hinted at reimposing secondary tariffs, similar to those he imposed four years ago.
Iran responded through Oman, reiterating its stance against direct negotiations while under U.S. sanctions and military threats. Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian affirmed that while direct talks are off the table, indirect negotiations could continue under the guidance of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
Trump also mentioned the possibility of secondary tariffs on both Russia and Iran but did not elaborate. Last week, he signed an executive order authorizing similar measures against buyers of Venezuelan oil.
During his first term (2017-2021), Trump withdrew from the 2015 Iran nuclear deal, which had imposed strict limits on Tehran’s uranium enrichment in exchange for sanctions relief. He then reimposed sweeping U.S. sanctions, prompting Iran to expand its nuclear program beyond agreed limits.
Western powers accuse Iran of secretly aiming to develop nuclear weapons by enriching uranium to dangerously high levels, while Tehran insists its program is solely for civilian energy purposes. So far, Iran has ignored Trump’s warnings and has not moved toward a new agreement.
