Trump Warns Iran to Get Smart Over Stalled Talks

US President Donald Trump has issued a statement on his Truth Social platform, warning Iran that it must “get smart soon” following a proposal from Tehran that would postpone a deal on its nuclear program. The proposal, which was submitted by the Iranian government, aims to prioritize the end of the war and reopen the Strait of Hormuz.

Trump’s statement included an AI-generated image of himself carrying an assault rifle, with bombs exploding in the background. He also emphasized that “Iran can never possess a nuclear weapon.”

The US government has stated that it is reviewing Tehran’s proposal, but has expressed concerns about making a deal that could be seen as favorable to Iran. The White House has said that Trump would not be rushed into making a decision and that the US will continue to prioritize its national security interests.

Meanwhile, the US Treasury Department has imposed additional financial pressure on Iran by targeting its international shadow banking infrastructure and access to cryptocurrency. This move is aimed at disrupting tens of billions of dollars in revenue for Iranian officials.

The Iranian rial has dropped to a new record low against the US dollar, losing about 6 percent of its value since the war began. The UN human rights chief has reported that at least 21 people have been executed and over 4,000 arrested since the start of the conflict in Iran.

In response to these developments, Iranian authorities have increased efforts to prosecute protesters and dissidents. The US and Iran are currently engaged in a fragile ceasefire, which has raised concerns about the potential for renewed violence.

Source: Al Jazeera