Trump warns Iran to 'get smart soon,' says 'they don’t know how to sign a non-nuclear deal'

US President Donald Trump on Wednesday escalated his rhetoric against Iran, warning that Tehran must “get smart soon” on a non-nuclear deal, while declaring an end to what he suggested had been a restrained US approach.

In a post on Truth Social platform, Trump said, “Iran can’t get their act together. They don’t know how to sign a nonnuclear deal. They better get smart soon!” He signed off the message as “President DJT”.

The post was accompanied by a graphic image of Trump set against a backdrop of explosions, with the caption in bold: “NO MORE MR. NICE GUY!” alongside a US flag emoji. The imagery and language signal a sharper tone from the White House amid ongoing tensions over Iran’s nuclear programme and regional security concerns.


Click here for live updates on the US Israel Iran War

The remarks come at a time when diplomatic efforts to revive or renegotiate nuclear-related agreements with Iran remain uncertain. Trump’s statement suggests a tougher negotiating stance, with an emphasis on pressuring Tehran to agree to revised terms.

The remarks come amid renewed attempts to broker what has been dubbed a “Trump” deal, intended to replace earlier agreements that the President has repeatedly criticised as inadequate for safeguarding global security.

Doubling down on that position, Trump expressed sharp dissatisfaction with Tehran’s recent diplomatic outreach, making it clear that Washington would not move forward with talks unless Iran’s nuclear programme is addressed head-on.

He also claimed that Iran is in a “state of collapse” and is therefore seeking the swift reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, calling for traffic to resume “as soon as possible”.

Underscoring the stakes, Trump warned of the broader risks posed by Iran’s nuclear ambitions, saying that if Tehran were to acquire atomic weapons, “the whole world would be held hostage”.

His rejection comes in response to an Iranian proposal centred on an immediate ceasefire in West Asia and the resumption of maritime traffic through the crucial Strait of Hormuz. The plan, however, sought to defer discussions on contentious issues such as Iran’s nuclear programme, missile capabilities and sanctions.

Meanwhile, Iran has stepped up diplomatic engagement. Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has been on a regional and international outreach drive—visiting Islamabad and holding talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin in St Petersburg—to rally support.

At the same time, regional powers are pushing back. Leaders of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), meeting in Saudi Arabia under Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, have rejected what they described as Iran’s “illegal actions” linked to the closure of the strait and threats to maritime security.

Earlier in the day, ANI reported that Iran has asserted that the conflict in West Asia is “still considered a war” despite a ceasefire agreement with the United States.

According to Iran’s state broadcaster Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting (IRIB), army spokesperson Amir Akraminia said the situation remains active from a military standpoint, adding that operational targets and preparedness levels have been updated.

Also Read: 'Do not consider the war over': Iran Army spokesman Amir Akraminia

He further claimed that Iran maintains full operational control over the strategically critical Strait of Hormuz, with joint deployment of its armed forces across the waterway.

Akraminia also said Iranian forces were in “full readiness” and had pre-emptively deployed units across the country based on intelligence inputs, while asserting that adversaries “did not dare” to launch a ground offensive.

Separately, Iranian official Mohammad Hossein Ziyaeenia told ANI that Tehran remains confident of prevailing in the conflict, underscoring continued political and military resolve despite the ceasefire.