Trump warns of 'much higher level' attacks if Iran rejects deal

US President Donald Trump warned Iran that it will face a much higher level and intensity of attacks if it fails to agree to a peace deal, which the two sides are said to be moving closer to.

Media outlets, including Axios and Reuters, reported on May 6 that Tehran and Washington were close to an agreement on a one-page memorandum to end the war in the Persian Gulf.

The deal would include Iran committing to a moratorium on nuclear enrichment, the United States agreeing to lift sanctions, Axios reported. It would also release billions of dollars in frozen Iranian assets, and both sides would lift restrictions on ships sailing through the Strait of Hormuz.

Trump appeared to confirm that a deal was close in a social media post, though he did not provide details.

“Assuming Iran agrees to deliver what was agreed upon, which is, perhaps, a big assumption, the now legendary Epic Fury will end and the highly effective blockade will allow the Strait of Hormuz to be OPEN TO ALL, including Iran,” he wrote.

"If they don't agree, the bombings will begin and, unfortunately, they will be at a much higher level and intensity than before."

In later comments to broadcaster PBS, Trump said he was optimistic about reaching a deal, which he said could include exporting highly enriched uranium from Iran to the United States.

"I think there's a good chance it's going to end," he said, referring to the 9-week war, "and if it doesn't end, we should go back to bombing them with all our might."

Among the main reasons cited by the Trump administration for going to war are Iran's nuclear ambitions.

Washington wants Tehran to give up its uranium, including highly enriched uranium, which could be used to build a weapon.

Tehran insists its nuclear programs are for civilian purposes only.

Project Freedom Operation

Trump's comments came hours after he announced that the operation called Project Freedom to guide ships through the Strait of Hormuz would be "suspended for a short period of time" after making "Great Progress... towards a Full and Final Agreement with Representatives of Iran."

The United States sought to restore commercial traffic through this crucial waterway after it was effectively closed by Iran, leaving thousands of ships stranded for weeks and affecting the global economy.

This action was taken in response to the American and Israeli military campaign, which began on February 28.

Fears have grown that a cessation of hostilities announced nearly a month ago has broken down after the United Arab Emirates - a key US ally in the Gulf region - reported Iranian missile barrages and drone attacks on at least one ship in the Persian Gulf.

Beijing on May 6 repeated its call for a "comprehensive ceasefire" in the conflict and a return to normal passage through the Strait of Hormuz, while Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi began his first visit to China since the outbreak of the conflict.

Foreign Minister Wang Yi said after a meeting with Araqchi in the Chinese capital that China would work "harder" to help end the fighting and play a "greater role in restoring peace and tranquility in the Middle East."

"China believes that a complete cessation of hostilities is necessary, the resumption of conflict is unacceptable, and the continuation of negotiations is particularly important," Wang said, according to a statement from his ministry after the talks, which come a week before Trump meets his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping.

China relies heavily on Middle Eastern oil exported and transported through the Strait of Hormuz, and Chinese officials have been quietly involved in trying to help broker a solution and get shipping traffic moving again.

The Geopost