Trump threatens bombing if Iran does not make nuclear deal !

**Trump Ramps Up Pressure on Iran with Threats of Military Strikes and Economic Coercion** 
*April 29, 2025* 

In a stark escalation of tensions, former U.S. President Donald Trump issued dual threats against Iran during a Sunday interview with NBC News, warning of unprecedented military action and punitive economic measures if Tehran refuses to negotiate a new nuclear agreement with Washington. The remarks, Trump’s first since Iran publicly rejected direct talks last week, underscore the volatile dynamics shaping U.S.-Iran relations amid stalled diplomatic efforts and heightened regional instability. 

**Trump’s Ultimatum: “Bombing the Likes of Which They’ve Never Seen”** 

 
Speaking via telephone, Trump asserted that U.S. and Iranian officials were engaged in discussions but offered no specifics. His rhetoric took a sharply combative turn when addressing Iran’s resistance to direct negotiations. “If they don’t make a deal, there will be bombing,” Trump declared. “It will be bombing the likes of which they have never seen before.” 

The former president, who has consistently advocated for aggressive posturing toward Iran, also revived a signature economic weapon: secondary tariffs. These measures, which target third-party nations conducting business with sanctioned states, were previously deployed during Trump’s first term to cripple Iran’s oil exports. Last week, he signed an executive order authorizing similar tariffs on buyers of Venezuelan crude, signaling a broader strategy of economic coercion. “There’s a chance that if they don’t make a deal, I will do secondary tariffs on them like I did four years ago,” he added, extending the threat to include Russia. 

**Iran’s Defiant Response: Indirect Talks Only** 

 
Iran’s leadership has repeatedly rebuffed direct engagement with Washington, citing the failure of the 2018 U.S. withdrawal from the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) and subsequent “maximum pressure” sanctions. On Thursday, Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian confirmed that Tehran had relayed a response to a recent Trump-authored letter via Omani intermediaries, reiterating its refusal to negotiate under military or economic duress. 

President Masoud Pezeshkian reinforced this stance on Sunday, stating, “Direct negotiations have been rejected, but Iran has always been involved in indirect negotiations.” He emphasized that Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei had endorsed continued backchannel diplomacy, a model that enabled the original 2015 nuclear deal. However, Pezeshkian’s remarks did not clarify whether Oman or other mediators had brokered progress in recent weeks. 

**Context: A Legacy of Confrontation** 

 
Trump’s latest threats align with his long-standing approach to Iran. During his presidency, he unilaterally abandoned the JCPOA, reinstated sweeping sanctions, and authorized the 2020 drone strike that killed Iranian General Qassem Soleimani—a move that brought the two nations to the brink of war. His revival of secondary tariffs echoes the 2019 campaign that slashed Iran’s oil revenue by 90%, exacerbating economic turmoil. 

The Biden administration’s efforts to revive the JCPOA between 2021 and 2023 faltered amid Iranian demands for guaranteed sanctions relief and U.S. concerns over Tehran’s expanding uranium enrichment. Since Trump’s return to the political forefront, Iran has accelerated its nuclear activities, with experts estimating it could now produce a weapon within weeks. 

**Regional and Global Implications** 

 
Analysts warn that Trump’s threats risk inflaming an already precarious security landscape. The Middle East remains on edge following Israel’s 2024 strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities and Hezbollah’s retaliatory attacks. “Military action would likely trigger a regional war, drawing in proxies and global powers,” said Trita Parsi, executive vice president of the Quincy Institute. “Secondary tariffs could also alienate allies like China and India, who still import Iranian oil.” 

Meanwhile, the inclusion of Russia in Trump’s tariff warnings suggests a broader agenda to counter Tehran-Moscow collaboration, which has deepened since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Iran’s provision of drones and missiles to Russia has drawn condemnation from Western nations, complicating efforts to isolate either regime. 

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**Path Ahead: Diplomacy or Disaster?** 

 
While Trump’s threats may aim to force Iran back to the table, experts question their efficacy. “Coercion alone hasn’t worked,” argued Suzanne Maloney of the Brookings Institution. “Iran’s regime thrives on resistance narratives. Without incentives, talks are doomed.” Others note that Trump’s unpredictable style—combining brinkmanship with sporadic diplomacy—could either fracture Tehran’s resolve or harden it. 

As the world watches, the stakes extend beyond nuclear policy. A miscalculation could destabilize global energy markets, trigger proxy conflicts, or embolden hardliners in Tehran. For now, the ball rests in Iran’s court—but with Trump’s history of unilateral action, the next move remains uncertain.