Trump warns of major war escalation if Iran peace process fails
Last updated: April 9, 2026 | 19:08
A demonstrator carries a portrait of the late Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei during a protest against military action in Iran near the White House in Washington on Wednesday. Reuters
TOPSHOT - A demonstrator holds a sign during a protest against US military action in Iran in the Manhattan borough of New York City on April 7, 2026. US President Donald Trump said on April 7 he agreed to suspend bombing of Iran for two weeks as part of a ceasefire deal if Tehran completely reopens the vital Strait of Hormuz. The announcement came after Pakistan made a last-minute proposal to avert massive US attacks on Iran, with Trump warning a "whole civilization will die tonight" unless a deal was agreed. (Photo by CHARLY TRIBALLEAU / AFP)
US President Donald Trump vowed to retain military assets in the Middle East until a peace deal with Iran is reached and warned of a major escalation in fighting if it failed to comply, as oil prices rose on concerns over supply and restrictions in the Strait of Hormuz.
Trump said in a social media post US ships, aircraft and personnel with additional ammunition and weaponry would remain in place to destroy, if necessary, "a substantially degraded enemy," but expressed confidence that a lasting deal would be agreed and followed.
"If for any reason it is not, which is highly unlikely, then the 'Shootin’ Starts,' bigger, and better, and stronger than anyone has ever seen before," Trump said, adding that contrary to "fake rhetoric," Iran had agreed not to pursue nuclear weapons and to reopen the Strait of Hormuz.
"In the meantime our great Military is Loading Up and Resting, looking forward, actually, to its next Conquest. AMERICA IS BACK!"
Donald Trump checks his watch during an event to celebrate federal judicial confirmations in the East Room of the White House. Reuters
Though both the United States and Iran declared victory in a five-week-old war that has killed thousands, their core disputes remained unresolved, with each side sticking to competing demands for a deal that could shape the Middle East for generations.
Trump's latest post followed the largest coordinated strike of the war by Israel on Wednesday that killed more than 250 people in Lebanon, prompting a warning from Iran's lead negotiator that Israel's ramping up its parallel war and Washington's insistence on Tehran abandoning its nuclear ambitions could jeopardise talks to forge a permanent peace deal.
"In such a situation, a bilateral ceasefire or negotiations were unreasonable," Iran's parliament speaker Mohammed Bager Qalibaf, said in a statement on Wednesday.
Oil prices climbed on Thursday with investors concerned about the fragility of the truce and elevated geopolitical risks over Middle East supply, with doubts that restrictions in the Strait of Hormuz would soon ease.
CONTRASTING AGENDAS
Israel's blitz of air strikes on Wednesday raised questions about regional truce efforts, with conflicting messages on the scope of the ceasefire and sharply contrasting agendas for peace talks set to start on Saturday in Pakistan.
The United States and Israel say Lebanon is not included in the agreement, while Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has said a halt in hostilities in Lebanon was an essential condition of Tehran's deal with Washington.
The Iran-backed Hezbollah said it fired rockets early on Thursday at the small kibbutz of Manara, citing what it described as Israel's ceasefire violations, warning of more until there was a halt in "Israeli-American aggression."
Pakistan's foreign ministry condemned the Israeli operations on Thursday, which it said "undermine international efforts to establish peace and stability."
French President Emmanuel Macron earlier said Lebanon "must be fully covered" by the ceasefire.
Iran's delegation for the talks was due to arrive in Islamabad on Thursday night.
"Despite scepticism of Iranian public opinion due to repeated ceasefire violations by Israeli regime ... Iranian delegation arrives tonight in Islamabad for serious talks based on 10 points proposed by Iran," Ambassador Reza Amiri Moghadam said in a post on X on Thursday.
