Iran accuses US of trying to start new war after Trump threatens fresh attack

Iran's chief negotiator Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf accused the United States on Wednesday of trying to restart the Middle East war, after President Donald Trump threatened fresh military action unless Tehran agreed a peace deal. Ghalibaf warned of a "forceful response." Iran's Revolutionary Guards separately said any renewed conflict would spread far beyond the Middle East.

What did Iran say about the threat of a new U.S. attack?

Ghalibaf said the United States had not abandoned its military objectives despite economic and political pressure. In an audio message carried by Iranian media, he said the enemy's "overt and clandestine" movements showed it was "seeking to start a new war." The Revolutionary Guards warned that any repeated aggression would result in "devastating blows" and a regional war that spreads beyond the Middle East.

What did Trump say about Iran and the ongoing negotiations?

Trump told reporters on Wednesday the U.S. was in the "final stages" of negotiations with Iran, while leaving open the possibility of further military action. "We'll either have a deal or we're going to do some things that are a little bit nasty," he said. He added he was "in no hurry" and hoped to see as few casualties as possible.

On Tuesday, Trump had framed the U.S. position as one of clear dominance, saying Iran was "begging to make a deal." He said he hoped to avoid further conflict but had not ruled out another strike. "I'm not sure yet," he told reporters.

What is the current state of U.S.-Iran diplomacy?

A ceasefire on April 8 halted the U.S.-Israeli conflict with Iran, but a formal peace agreement has not been reached. Despite sporadic violence, both countries have continued diplomatic exchanges mediated by Pakistan. Iran's official IRNA news agency reported a second visit to Tehran in under a week by Pakistan's interior minister, citing diplomatic sources.

Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan praised Trump's decision to "give diplomacy a chance" and urged Iran to seize the opportunity to avoid further escalation. Israel's army chief Lieutenant General Eyal Zamir said his military was at its highest alert level and prepared for any development.

How is the Strait of Hormuz closure affecting the global economy?

The ceasefire has not reopened the Strait of Hormuz, through which a fifth of the world's oil and liquefied natural gas normally passes. Global oil prices fell more than five percent on Wednesday on hopes of a deal. The strait is also a conduit for around a third of global fertilizer supply, and its continued closure is pushing up food prices and raising fears of shortages.

The UN's Food and Agriculture Organization warned on Wednesday of "a severe global food price crisis" and a "systemic agrifood shock" from the closure. Rising fuel costs have already triggered unrest in Kenya, where the public transport system has ground to a halt. Kenya's Interior Minister Kipchumba Murkomen said four people were killed and more than 30 injured in Wednesday's protests.