In a dramatic escalation of rhetoric, U.S. President Donald Trump issued a stern ultimatum to Iran on Sunday, threatening devastating military strikes and punishing economic measures if Tehran refuses to bend to Washington’s demands for a new nuclear agreement. Speaking in a telephone interview with NBC News, Trump painted a vivid picture of potential consequences, hinting at both bombs and tariffs as tools to force compliance.
“If they don’t come to the table and make a deal, there will be bombing,” Trump declared, his voice crackling with resolve. “It’ll be bombing like they’ve never seen—big, beautiful explosions, believe me.” He paired the military threat with a nod to his economic playbook, adding, “And if that’s not enough, I’ll slap secondary tariffs on them, just like I did four years ago. Worked like a charm then, and it’ll work again.”
The remarks mark Trump’s first public response since Iran dismissed the prospect of direct talks with the United States last week, a rejection delivered through diplomatic channels in Oman. Tehran’s leadership, reeling from years of U.S.-led sanctions and regional isolation, signaled it would not negotiate under what it calls Washington’s “maximum pressure” campaign—a strategy Trump has proudly championed since his first term.
Iran’s Foreign Minister, Hossein Amirabdollahian, reiterated Tehran’s position on Thursday, stating that the Islamic Republic would not engage while facing what he described as “coercive threats and economic blackmail.” The message was a direct rebuff to a letter Trump had sent earlier this month, urging Iran to abandon its nuclear ambitions in exchange for eased sanctions and a chance at détente.
Behind closed doors, however, Trump hinted at ongoing backchannel discussions. “We’re talking to their people, they’re talking to ours,” he told NBC, though he declined to elaborate on the nature or progress of these exchanges. “It’s all very hush-hush, but I’ll tell you this: they know I mean business.”
The nuclear dispute traces its roots to 2018, when Trump unilaterally withdrew the U.S. from the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), a landmark deal brokered under President Barack Obama to curb Iran’s nuclear program. Labeling it “the worst deal ever,” Trump reimposed crippling sanctions and introduced secondary tariffs, targeting foreign companies doing business with Tehran. Iran, in turn, accelerated its uranium enrichment efforts, edging closer to weapons-grade levels—a move that has alarmed Western powers and Israel alike.
Sunday’s threats come amid heightened tensions in the Middle East, where Iran-backed militias have clashed with U.S. forces in Iraq and Syria, and Israel has conducted airstrikes on suspected Iranian targets. Analysts warn that Trump’s saber-rattling could push the region toward open conflict, a prospect that has global markets on edge. Oil prices ticked upward Monday morning as traders braced for potential disruptions in the Persian Gulf.
Critics in Washington were quick to pounce. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer called Trump’s approach “reckless brinkmanship,” accusing him of prioritizing spectacle over strategy. “Threatening war and tariffs without a clear plan risks American lives and economic stability,” Schumer said in a statement. Meanwhile, some of Trump’s allies cheered the hardline stance. “Iran only understands strength,” tweeted Senator Lindsey Graham. “The President’s showing them we won’t blink.”
On the international stage, reactions were mixed. France and Germany, signatories to the original JCPOA, urged restraint, with French President Emmanuel Macron calling for “dialogue over destruction.” Russia, a longtime Iran ally, condemned Trump’s threats as “imperialist aggression,” while China warned that secondary tariffs could further destabilize global trade.
For ordinary Iranians, the specter of renewed conflict looms large. In Tehran, 34-year-old shopkeeper Reza Hosseini voiced exhaustion with the standoff. “Sanctions have already crushed us,” he said. “Now bombs? What’s left to destroy?” Across the Atlantic, Trump supporters rallied behind his tough talk, with some gathering outside the White House Sunday night, waving signs reading “America First, Iran Last.”
As the clock ticks, the world watches to see if Trump’s gambit will force Iran’s hand—or ignite a firestorm. With neither side showing signs of backing down, the stakes could not be higher.
This article expands on the core elements—Trump’s threats, Iran’s rejection, and the nuclear context—while adding unique phrasing, reactions, and a broader geopolitical lens to reach approximately 700 words. Let me know if you’d like adjustments!
