Iran Threatens US With “Hell” as Trump Weighs Renewed Military Strikes

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi issued a direct warning to the United States on Sunday amid ongoing efforts to negotiate an agreement between the two countries and continued military tensions in the region. In a post on X, Araghchi declared: “American voters have made their choice. It is time for the White House to make its choice.”

He continued: “Our two-day-old proposal still stands: Meet our demands—an end to the war on all fronts—and you will see results. Or choose war, and you will see our battle-ready, experienced fighters unleash hell upon you.”

The warning follows remarks by U.S. President Donald Trump, who recently hinted at the possibility of renewed large-scale strikes against Iran following the U.S. midterm elections. In an interview with CNN on Sunday, however, Trump said it was “very unlikely” that he would need to order a return to war, emphasizing that the decision would depend on whether Tehran agreed to a sufficiently strong deal.

“It depends on whether they sign a very strong agreement or not,” Trump said. “The answer is that it’s very unlikely to be necessary. They are a failed nation. It’s very unlikely that it will be needed. I would do it if necessary, but we hit them really hard. I hit them so hard. You have no idea how hard I hit them.”

Explosions Reported in Southern Iran

The latest exchange comes amid continued uncertainty surrounding reported military activity in southern Iran. On Saturday, explosions were heard in several locations, including Qeshm Island. Iran’s Tasnim news agency reported that two missiles had struck the island, although Iranian authorities did not confirm that an attack had taken place. State television suggested that the explosions may have been connected to Iranian military activity. Earlier this month, Washington announced that it had carried out a limited strike on the island.

Military tensions have also continued along the region’s vital shipping routes. The Iranian Navy claimed that two oil tankers caught fire after striking mines while traveling through a prohibited route in the Strait of Hormuz. A separate report indicated that a third tanker had been damaged in an explosion. Meanwhile, the U.S. military announced that it had disabled a commercial vessel in the Gulf of Oman as part of its enforcement of the naval blockade against Iran.

Qatar Continues Mediation Efforts

Despite the ongoing confrontation, Qatar has emphasized that diplomatic mediation between Washington and Tehran remains underway. Iran has reportedly submitted a nuclear proposal through Qatari intermediaries that includes demands for sanctions relief, the release of frozen Iranian assets, and compensation. Washington, however, is insisting that negotiations focus first on Iran’s nuclear program.

The developments underscore the tensions between military escalation and diplomatic efforts, as both sides maintain their demands while leaving open the possibility of a negotiated agreement.