Donald Trump renews 'no more Mr Nice Guy' warning to Iran over nuclear deal

Donald Trump warned of tougher action against Iran as nuclear talks falter, criticising Tehran's inability to strike a deal and referencing earlier threats linked to tensions around the Strait of Hormuz and recent maritime incidents.

In Short

• Ceasefire talks stalled after Islamabad talks cancelled
• Trump blames Iran for failing to sign nuclear deal
• US plans extended blockade to pressure Iran's economy

Donald Trump has revived his “no more Mr Nice Guy” warning to Iran, as ceasefire talks remain stalled following the abrupt cancellation of the second round of negotiations in Islamabad last week. This time, he lashed out at Iran, accusing it of failing to finalise a nuclear deal.

Taking to Truth Social, he said, “Iran can’t get their act together. They don’t know how to sign a non-nuclear deal. They better get smart soon! President DJT.”

Earlier this month, Trump issued a similar warning after Iran reimposed its blockade over the Strait of Hormuz, following the US decision not to lift its own restrictions.

At the time, he had said there would be “no more Mr Nice Guy” if Iran did not agree to a “very fair and reasonable deal.”

The message came just ahead of the second round of talks in Islamabad, which was later cancelled by Trump. It also coincided with reported firing incidents involving what he described as a French ship and a UK freighter.

Trump’s latest remarks on Iran come as the US presses Tehran to accept a stricter "non-nuclear deal" that would curb uranium enrichment and prevent it from developing nuclear weapons. The comments also come against the backdrop of reportedly stalled talks between US and Iranian negotiators, with both sides accusing each other of shifting positions.

Last week, Trump said time was running out for Iran and insisted that any agreement would be reached strictly on Washington’s terms. Rejecting suggestions that he was in a rush to end the conflict, he wrote on Truth Social, "I have all the time in the World, but Iran doesn’t — The clock is ticking!"

Trump also said Iran’s military capabilities had been severely degraded and that a blockade remained firmly in place. In another post, he wrote, "Iran’s Navy is lying at the bottom of the Sea, their Air Force is demolished, their Anti-Aircraft and Radar Weaponry is gone, their leaders are no longer with us, the Blockade is airtight and strong and, from there, it only gets worse -- Time is not on their side!"

Meanwhile, according to a Wall Street Journal report, Trump has instructed his aides to prepare for an "extended blockade" of Iran to "compel nuclear capitulation". The report said he had chosen to continue "squeezing Iran’s economy and oil exports" through a prolonged blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, as he believes that resuming bombing or walking away carries a comparatively higher risk.

At the same time, a prolonged blockade of the Strait of Hormuz could push US gas prices higher and fuel inflation. Reports indicate that ship traffic through the strait has dwindled to near zero since the war began nearly two months ago, as pressure on Iran continues and negotiations remain stalled.

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