Iran rejects Trump’s nuclear deal ultimatum, warns of regional retaliation amid rising tensions

Tehran rules out direct talks, keeps indirect channels open as Trump threatens bombing and tariffs

Iran has rejected a proposal for direct negotiations from US President Donald Trump, signaling a hardening of its stance on its rapidly advancing nuclear program. President Masoud Pezeshkian, speaking during a televised Cabinet meeting on Sunday, confirmed that Tehran had responded to Trump’s letter via Oman, leaving open only the possibility of indirect talks with Washington.

“We don’t avoid talks; it’s the breach of promises that has caused issues for us so far. They must prove that they can build trust,” Pezeshkian stated.

The response marks the first official reply to Trump’s letter sent to Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei on March 12, where the US President urged negotiations, warning of severe consequences otherwise.

Trump threatens “bombing like never before”

In an interview with NBC News, Trump declared,

“If they don’t make a deal, there will be bombing—the likes of which they have never seen before.”

He further threatened secondary tariffs on Iran, adding that the US would not tolerate Iran acquiring a nuclear weapon.

The US State Department backed the President’s stance, reaffirming:

“If the Iranian regime does not want a deal, the president is clear—he will pursue other options, which will be very bad for Iran.”

Iran responds militarily and politically

Following Trump’s warning, Iranian state-controlled media Tehran Times reported that Iran had placed its underground missile arsenal on high alert, ready to target “US-related positions” in case of a military strike. The Revolutionary Guard’s media arm released a video showing advanced missiles in hardened underground bunkers, dubbed “missile cities,” with troops stepping on an Israeli flag—a symbolic gesture, although noticeably missing the usual American flag.

Iran’s state-run Press TV also published a list of US military bases in the Middle East as potential targets, including Camp Thunder Cove on Diego Garcia in the Indian Ocean, where B-2 stealth bombers are reportedly based.

Iranian parliamentary speaker, Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf, warned the US:

“If they violate Iran’s sovereignty, it will be like a spark in a gunpowder depot, setting the entire region ablaze.”

Hardening positions since Trump’s election

Though President Pezeshkian initially campaigned on reengaging with the West, he shifted tone following Ayatollah Khamenei’s February declaration that talks with the Trump administration would be “unwise and dishonorable.” Since then, Pezeshkian has aligned with the harder stance.

Meanwhile, Iran’s economy has worsened under the renewed US “maximum pressure” campaign, with the rial plummeting and inflation surging.

Public displays of hostility have also shifted. During recent Quds Day demonstrations, chants were restricted to “Death to Israel,” with “Death to America” notably absent. Still, tensions remain high as Iran continues to enrich uranium at 60% purity, near weapons-grade levels. The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) confirmed in February that Iran has accelerated uranium production, heightening fears of a nuclear breakout.

Longstanding grievances and military history

Iran’s refusal to negotiate directly is further rooted in lingering resentment over the US drone strike in 2020 that killed General Qassem Soleimani. Iranian officials have repeatedly vowed retaliation, and reports suggest Iran may have plotted to target Trump personally—a claim Tehran has denied.

Tehran’s recent direct attacks on Israel with ballistic missiles and drones caused minimal damage and were met with Israeli airstrikes that disabled key Iranian air defense systems.

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