WASHINGTON— President Donald Trump issued a strong warning to Iran on Sunday, stating that if Tehran refuses to reach an agreement on its nuclear program, there will be serious consequences. Meanwhile, Trump appeared to soften his stance on potential oil sanctions against Russia, following his earlier criticism of Russian President Vladimir Putin over remarks about Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
Trump’s Warning to Iran: Deal or Face Consequences
Speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One while returning from Florida to Washington, Trump indicated he would give Iran a short window to make progress before considering secondary tariffs.
“We’ll probably give it a couple of weeks. And if we don’t see any progress, we’re going to put them on. We’re not putting them on right now.”
In a separate phone interview with NBC News, Trump reportedly made a more direct threat, saying “there will be bombing” if Iran fails to reach an agreement.
“I hope they have a great, long, and successful life as a country,” Trump said. “I can’t imagine them doing anything else but making a deal. I would prefer a deal to the other alternative, which I think everybody in this plane knows what that is. And that’s not going to be pretty.”
Shifting Stance on Russia: Tariffs Still on the Table
Beyond Iran, Trump also reiterated his earlier threat of imposing tariffs on Russian oil, but later softened his tone on Putin when asked about their relationship.
“No, I don’t think so,” Trump responded when asked if his relationship with Putin was at its lowest point. “I don’t think he’s going to go back on his word. I’ve known him for a long time. We’ve always gotten along well.”
While Trump expressed disappointment with Putin’s recent remarks questioning Zelenskyy’s credibility, he suggested that economic sanctions against Russia might not be necessary—but he left the possibility open.
“I certainly wouldn’t want to put secondary tariffs on Russia. But if they were put on, it would not be very good.”
China and Russian Oil: Sanctions in Play?
Trump also hinted at the potential for sanctions on Chinese companies purchasing Russian oil, stating that past U.S. sanctions had already forced China to abandon oil shipments from Venezuela.
“China pulled out their bunkers and left. They had two ships there and they left. They left empty. They did not want to take a chance. No, we’re not playing games.”
Tensions with Ukraine: Zelenskyy’s Rare Earths Deal
While Trump has criticized Putin’s stance on Ukraine, he also took aim at Zelenskyy, accusing him of attempting to renegotiate a minerals deal with the U.S.
“We made a deal on rare earths, and now he’s saying, ‘Well, you know, I want to renegotiate the deal,’” Trump said.
He further suggested that Ukraine’s NATO aspirations were never realistic, stating:
“He wants to be a member of NATO. He was never going to be a member of NATO. He understands that. So, if he’s looking to renegotiate the deal, he’s got big problems.”
With tensions escalating on multiple fronts, Trump’s approach to Iran, Russia, and Ukraine continues to evolve, leaving open the possibility of diplomatic breakthroughs—or severe economic and military consequences in the coming weeks.
