President Donald Trump has warned that the United States will resume a “full-scale war” against Iran unless Washington secures every one of its demands in ongoing negotiations, according to statements made to France’s LCI television. The ultimatum, delivered alongside a temporary operational pause in U.S. military strikes, injects fresh uncertainty into a conflict that has simmered since July 2026. Two sources cited by Axios indicate that Trump ordered a halt to 13 consecutive days of attacks to give diplomacy more room, though military planners continue to refine options for large-scale operations should talks fail. Viewed from Washington, the pause represents a “calculated tactical pause” rather than a strategic shift, with the White House using the lull to test Tehran’s willingness to respond to messages conveyed through regional intermediaries.

In Tehran, the response remains defiant. An Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps spokesperson claimed that American fatalities have exceeded 200 since Washington’s violation of the Islamabad understanding, a reference to the accord that governed the Strait of Hormuz before U.S. strikes resumed on 7 July 2026. Iranian state-aligned media cast Trump’s remarks as “excessive demands” (Khabar Online, Hamshahri Online) and underscore the regime’s narrative of resilience. According to an Israeli source cited by Kan public broadcaster, Iran’s supreme leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, is imposing a hard line in backchannel contacts, complicating the path to de-escalation. Regional capitals note that while Iran’s public posture is unyielding, continued Omani mediation suggests a pragmatic interest in avoiding all-out war.

Muscat has emerged as the central conduit for crisis diplomacy. Omani envoys in Tehran have reportedly made progress in talks that could yield an agreement to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, possibly as soon as this weekend. The strait, a vital energy chokepoint, has been a focal point of the conflict since the U.S. reimposed a naval blockade on 14 July 2026, citing threats to commercial shipping. European analysts observe that any accord on maritime security would test whether deeper American demands—believed to encompass Iran’s nuclear programme and regional posture—can be addressed through negotiation rather than military force.

The immediate trajectory hinges on Omani-mediated exchanges. U.S. military forces remain positioned to resume strikes on short notice, and Trump’s remark that European allies are “lucky” to have him as a friend signals a transactional approach to alliance management. With the temporary halt in effect, the coming days are likely to determine whether diplomacy can produce a face-saving framework or whether the conflict escalates into the full-scale confrontation Trump has threatened.