Iran's chief negotiator said on Wednesday the United States wanted to restart the Middle East war after President Donald Trump said he would attack again unless Tehran agreed to a peace deal.
Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, who warned of a "forceful response", was speaking after Iran's Revolutionary Guards said any renewed war would spread far beyond the Middle East.
"The enemy's movements, both overt and clandestine, show that despite economic and political pressure, it has not abandoned its military objectives and is seeking to start a new war," Ghalibaf said in an audio message carried by Iranian media.
US President Donald Trump has repeatedly threatened Tehran with renewed military action, while Iranian officials have hit back with their own warnings of devastating action.
Nevertheless, despite sporadic outbursts of violence, the two countries have continued to take part in diplomatic exchanges mediated by Pakistan, aimed at bringing a formal end to the war.
On Tuesday, US Vice-President JD Vance told reporters that "a lot of good progress is being made" and "we're just going to keep working at it", even as he told Iran the US military was "locked and loaded".
The Revolutionary Guards issued their own threat on Wednesday, saying, "if the aggression against Iran is repeated, the promised regional war will this time spread far beyond the region, and our devastating blows will crush you".
The future of the waterway is a key sticking point in negotiations, but without a deal, fears are growing for the global economy as pre-war stockpiles of oil are used up.
Rising fuel prices have caused widespread pain, with protests erupting in Kenya, which like many African countries is dependent on imports from the Gulf and where the public transport system has ground to a halt.
President Donald Trump told reporters on Wednesday that he was in no hurry to bring the conflict with Iran to an end, saying achieving the mission’s objectives was more important than setting a timeline for its conclusion.
Saudi Arabia appreciated US President Donald Trump's decision to give negotiations with Iran additional time to reach an agreement, Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan said on Wednesday.
Trump said earlier this week that Saudi Arabia, the UAE and Qatar had asked him to postpone a planned US strike on Iran to allow more time for negotiations.
Meanwhile, the US Senate has approved a symbolic resolution restricting US President Donald Trump’s authority to continue military action against Iran, amid growing concerns over the war’s soaring costs and uncertain trajectory.
The procedural vote passed 50 to 47, with four Republicans joining all but one Democrat in favour. Three Republicans abstained. A final vote is still required, and the resolution faces significant hurdles before taking effect. It must also pass the Republican‑controlled House and secure a two‑thirds majority in both chambers to override an expected presidential veto.
The vote underscores rising unease within the Republican Party as the war enters its third month, straining US weapons stockpiles, raising questions about military readiness, and driving official cost estimates above $30 billion so far.
The resolution calls on the administration to either halt all military action against Iran or obtain congressional authorisation to continue, citing the 1973 War Powers Act. That law was enacted after the Vietnam War to curb presidential power in launching extended military campaigns without congressional approval. - Agencies
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