US President Donald Trump urged Iran to “do the smart thing” and reach an agreement to end the conflict, saying he does not want further bloodshed even as a fragile ceasefire appears increasingly uncertain, AFP reported.
Speaking to reporters on Tuesday, Trump said Washington remains open to a deal but warned that Tehran risks serious consequences if it violates the truce.
“They should do the smart thing, because we don’t want to go in and kill people. Really don’t,” Trump said.
The US president declined to specify what actions would constitute a breach of the ceasefire, saying Iran already knows the boundaries.
“You’ll find out,” he said. “They know what to do. They know what not to do, more importantly.”
This comes amid the US and Israel launching attacks on Iran on Feb. 28, where Tehran later responded with strikes on US and Israeli targets in the region.
Following this, Trump accused Iran of “playing games” over negotiations to end the war, insisting any agreement must ensure Tehran does not acquire a nuclear weapon.
“What I don’t like about Iran is they’ll talk to me with such great respect, and then they’ll go on television, they’ll say, ‘We did not speak to the president,’” Trump said. “ So they play games.”
He added that Iran ultimately wants a deal, citing damage to its military capabilities.
“When your military is totally gone, we could do anything we want to them,” Trump said.
The remarks came as Iran, again, in recent days launched missiles and drones toward US forces and the United Arab Emirates, escalating regional tensions.
A day earlier, Trump announced a US‑led operation to escort commercial vessels through strategic waterways, warning that Iran would be “blown off the face of the earth” if it attacks US ships.
Negotiations remain ongoing amid the broader conflict in the Middle East.