President Donald Trump delivers the commencement address during the United States Coast Guard Academy's graduation ceremony in New London, Connecticut on Wednesday. UPI-Yonhap
DUBAI/WASHINGTON — U.S. President Donald Trump said on Wednesday that negotiations with Iran were "in the final stages", while warning of further attacks unless Tehran agrees to a peace deal. Six weeks since Trump paused Operation Epic Fury for a ceasefire, talks to end the war have shown little progress. Trump said this week he came close to ordering more attacks, but held off to allow time for negotiations.
"We're in the final stages of Iran. We'll see what happens. Either have a deal or we're going to do some things that are a little bit nasty, but hopefully that won't happen," he told reporters.
"Ideally I'd like to see few people killed, as opposed to a lot. We can do it either way."
Speaking later at the U.S. Coast Guard Academy, Trump reprised his either/or rhetoric - "We may have to hit them very hard... but maybe not" - and reiterated his determination not to allow Iran to acquire a nuclear weapon.
