FLASH
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US President Donald Trump has warned Iran that "the clock is ticking" as talks to end the war have stalled.
“They need to move fast, or there will be nothing left of them,” Trump wrote on his Truth Social platform. “TIME IS OF THE ESSENTIAL!”
The message came as the president held a conversation with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Sunday, the Times of Israel reported, citing Netanyahu's office.
On Monday, Iran said it had responded to the latest American proposal and that communications with Washington were continuing through Pakistan's mediation.
"As we announced yesterday, our concerns were conveyed to the American side," the Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman said during a press conference.
Iranian media reported earlier that the US had not made any concrete concessions to Tehran. The semi-official Mehr news agency warned that the lack of compromise could lead to a "blockage in negotiations."
Trump's message follows his warning that "an entire civilization" could disappear if Iran does not accept a deal to end the war, shortly before the ceasefire was announced in early April.
The US president declared earlier this week that the ceasefire was being held "in artificial life", after rejecting Tehran's demands, which he described as "completely unacceptable". On the other hand, Iranian diplomatic spokesman Esmail Baghaei insisted that the demands were "responsible" and "generous".
According to the semi-official Iranian news agency Tasnim, Iran's demands included an immediate halt to the war on all fronts — a reference to Israeli attacks against Iran-backed Hezbollah in Lebanon — the lifting of the US naval blockade of Iranian ports and guarantees that there will be no further attacks against Iran.
Iran has also demanded compensation for war damages and recognition of its sovereignty over the Strait of Hormuz. The semi-official Fars news agency reported on Sunday that Washington has set five conditions for Tehran in response to the Iranian proposal.
These include the demand that Iran maintain only one nuclear power plant and transfer its enriched uranium stockpile to the US.
Trump suggested on Friday that he would accept a 20-year moratorium on Iran's nuclear program — one of the main sticking points between the two countries — signaling a softening of the previous US stance that called for its total cessation.
Israeli and US forces launched massive airstrikes against Iran on February 28. The ceasefire intended to facilitate negotiations has been largely respected, although there have been sporadic exchanges of fire.
Iran also continues to control the Strait of Hormuz, practically limiting traffic in this strategic maritime corridor, through which about 20% of the world's oil and liquefied natural gas passes.
The move, which Tehran has described as a response to US and Israeli attacks, has caused a sharp increase in oil prices on global markets. On the other hand, the US is implementing a blockade of Iranian ports to increase pressure on Tehran to accept American conditions.
Pakistan is playing the role of mediator between the US and Iran, but the two sides still remain far from an agreement.
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