President Donald Trump warned Iran on Wednesday that it will face consequences for prolonging peace negotiations. He posted the threat on his Truth Social platform, reversing an earlier suggestion that a deal was close.
Tensions flared after an American helicopter was shot down. Both nations exchanged fire, breaking the fragile ceasefire that started in April.
The latest violence sparked international pleas for calm. This came just as the World Cup began, with both the US and Iran participating.
Trump claimed Iran had been thoroughly defeated militarily. Yet he'd said just a day before that talks were in their final stages.
"Iran is all talk and no action," Trump wrote in his post. "They've taken too long to negotiate a deal that would have been great for them, now they will have to pay the price."
According to the president, Tehran had dragged out discussions unnecessarily. He suggested a settlement would have benefited the Iranian side significantly.
The broader conflict started with US-Israeli strikes on Iran months ago. That initial assault destabilized the entire region and shook global financial markets before the truce took hold.
Since April, the ceasefire has remained unstable. Sporadic clashes have repeatedly tested whether the agreement can survive.
