President Donald Trump said Wednesday that the United States may have to intensify attacks on Iran if a peace deal is not reached [1, 2].

The statement establishes a strict ultimatum for Tehran, signaling that the administration is prepared to shift from diplomatic negotiations to active military escalation if terms are not met.

Trump said the U.S. was ready to proceed with further attacks on Tehran if Iran did not agree to a peace deal [1]. This "either/or" stance is intended to pressure Iranian leadership into accepting the proposed terms to avoid further conflict [1, 2].

Despite the threat of escalation, the president indicated he would not act immediately. Trump said he is willing to wait a few days [1] to receive the "right answer" regarding the peace agreement [1].

This tension follows a period of relative calm, as a ceasefire was announced six weeks ago [2]. However, the current rhetoric suggests that the stability provided by that ceasefire may be temporary, depending entirely on the outcome of the current negotiations.

"We may have to hit Iran harder, but we will wait and see if a deal is reached," Trump said [1].

When asked about the immediate future of the diplomatic process, Trump said, "We'll see what happens" [2].

“"The United States was ready to proceed with further attacks on Tehran if Iran did not agree to a peace deal."”

The administration is utilizing a strategy of 'coercive diplomacy,' where the credible threat of military force is used to compel an adversary to make concessions. By anchoring the timeline to a few days, the U.S. is attempting to create a sense of urgency for Iran, though the effectiveness of this approach depends on whether Tehran views the threat as an actual intent to attack or a negotiating tactic.