Casablanca — A senior Iranian military official said Saturday that a renewed war with the United States now looks likely, as tensions rise again after stalled peace efforts and sharp rhetoric from Washington.
The warning came after Donald Trump rejected a fresh Iranian proposal aimed at reviving negotiations. Tehran had sent the new text earlier this week through Pakistan, which has been mediating between the two sides, but no details have been made public.
A ceasefire has technically been in place since April 8, ending nearly 40 days of Israeli and US strikes on Iran and retaliatory Iranian attacks across the region. But the calm has not led to progress. A first round of direct talks in Islamabad on April 11 failed, and no follow-up meeting has been scheduled.
Trump said Friday he was “not satisfied” with the latest Iranian offer, repeating that Iran’s leadership appeared divided and unable to agree on a path forward. He also warned that restarting the war remains “an option,” even as he said he would prefer to avoid “pulverizing” Iran entirely. The US president had already been briefed by the military on possible next steps.
On the Iranian side, Mohammad Jafar Asadi, a senior figure within the armed forces command, said the country is fully prepared for any escalation. He accused the United States of failing to honor agreements and warned against further American “adventurism.”
Read also: Trump Team Reviews Iran Proposal as Nuclear Dispute Blocks Progress
Although Trump formally notified Congress that hostilities had ended, US forces remain heavily present in the region. Around 20 naval vessels are still deployed, including two aircraft carriers, even after the USS Gerald Ford left the Middle East.
The conflict has already killed thousands, mostly in Iran and Lebanon, and continues to rattle global markets. Oil prices have surged to levels not seen since 2022. Meanwhile, the confrontation has shifted form. Washington has imposed a blockade on Iranian ports, responding to Tehran’s move to shut down the Strait of Hormuz, a key route for global energy supplies.
Speaking at a rally in Florida, Trump described one operation in blunt terms. “We are in some ways like pirates,” he said, drawing cheers from supporters.
Inside Iran, daily life remains strained. Inflation and unemployment are rising fast. The leadership has urged companies to avoid layoffs as part of what it calls an economic war. But many people are struggling. One Tehran resident said anxiety is constant, with panic attacks becoming part of his routine as uncertainty deepens.
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