President Donald Trump warned the United States may strike Iran again, a day after saying he had held off a major assault to pursue a peace deal.

Iran’s army responded by threatening to open “new fronts” if Washington resumed attacks. The standoff follows weeks of fragile ceasefire talks in a war that began on February 28.

What is the US trying to negotiate with Iran?

Washington is seeking a peace agreement to end a war that has driven up global oil prices and become a domestic political liability for Trump. Iran has demanded the release of frozen assets, the lifting of long-standing sanctions, and war reparations.

Both sides have held only one formal round of talks since the ceasefire took hold on April 8.

Trump told reporters at the White House that he had been “an hour away” from relaunching strikes on Iran before postponing the order. He framed the pause as leverage in negotiations. “You know how it is to negotiate with a country where you’re beating them badly,” he said. “They come to the table, they’re begging to make a deal.”

He added that a further strike remained possible. “I hope we don’t have to do the war, but we may have to give them another big hit,” Trump said. He suggested a deadline of several days, naming Friday through early the following week as a window for resuming military action if no deal was reached.

Why is Iran considered a threat to the US?

Iran, along with many observers, disputes Trump’s account of the power dynamics. Tehran has maintained leverage through its control over the Strait of Hormuz, a chokepoint for global oil supply. That control has kept energy prices elevated and given Iran a significant card to play in any negotiations.

Iran’s army spokesman Mohammad Akraminia warned that the Islamic republic would “open new fronts” against the United States if it resumed attacks. He said Iran’s military had used the ceasefire to “strengthen its combat capabilities.”

Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi added that Iranian forces had downed an American F-35 fighter jet, citing a US congressional report on aircraft combat losses. “With lessons learned and knowledge we gained, return to war will feature many more surprises,” Araghchi wrote on X.

How close are US-Iran talks to a breakthrough?

Vice President JD Vance, who led failed talks with Iran in Pakistan, told reporters the United States was “locked and loaded” but remained hopeful for diplomacy. “A lot of good progress is being made, but we’re just going to keep on working at it,” Vance said. Trump said on Monday that Gulf Arab leaders had asked him to hold off on an attack at the 11th hour.

Trump has already indefinitely extended the truce and signalled he wants to exit the conflict. The war has become a political liability, with Americans paying more at the petrol pump and congressional elections approaching in November. Iran’s Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi wrote on X that Trump was effectively “calling a ‘threat’ a ‘chance for peace’.”

What sparked condemnation at the UN Security Council?

The United Arab Emirates said Tuesday that a drone attack on its Barakah nuclear power plant last week originated from Iraqi territory. Iran backs groups in Iraq that have been accused of launching attacks on Gulf nations during the war.

The UN Security Council condemned the strike unanimously, with Russia joining all other members. Russia’s ambassador Vassily Nebenzya said attacks on peaceful nuclear facilities “are categorically unacceptable.”

Iran’s cleric-run state has proven resilient throughout the conflict, even after its supreme leader was killed on the first day of the war. Tehran has continued pressing its demands in negotiations while maintaining military pressure across the region.

What is happening with Israeli strikes in Lebanon?

Iran has also demanded an end to Israeli strikes in Lebanon, which began in retaliation for attacks by Iranian-backed movement Hezbollah. The Israeli military launched a series of strikes across Lebanon on Tuesday, killing 19 people according to the Lebanese health ministry. One strike in the town of Deir Qanun al-Nahr in the Tyre district killed 10 people, including three children and three women.

Israel and Lebanon’s central government have twice extended a US-brokered ceasefire, but Israel maintains the truce does not apply to its operations against Hezbollah. The Israeli army said it intercepted a drone fired from Lebanon on the same day.

In one possible sign of diplomatic movement, an Iranian citizen holding US permanent residency was released from prison and returned to the United States. Shahab Dalili had served 10 years after being sentenced for allegedly “cooperating with a hostile government,” according to the Human Rights Activists News Agency.