US President Donald Trump has warned Iran that it will face attacks of "a much higher level and intensity" if it does not agree to a peace deal, which the two sides are reportedly close to.
US media reported on May 6 that Tehran and Washington are close to reaching an agreement on a one-page memorandum that would end the war in the Persian Gulf.
Axios reported that the deal would include Iran's commitment to a moratorium on uranium enrichment, the United States' agreement to lift sanctions and release billions of dollars in frozen Iranian funds, as well as the lifting by both sides of restrictions on ships sailing through the Strait of Hormuz.
Trump appeared to confirm that a deal is close, in a post on social media, although he did not provide details.
“Assuming Iran agrees to deliver what was agreed upon — which, perhaps, is a big assumption — the now legendary Operation Epic Fury will come to an end, while the highly effective blockade will allow the Strait of Hormuz to be OPEN TO ALL, including Iran,” he wrote.
"If they don't agree, the bombings will begin and, unfortunately, they will be at a much higher level and intensity than before."
Trump's comments came hours after he announced that the operation, called Project Freedom, to escort ships through the Strait of Hormuz, would be "suspended for a short period of time," following "great progress... toward a full and final agreement with Iran's representatives."
The United States launched Project Freedom to restore commercial traffic through the Strait of Hormuz, which Iran had blocked, leaving thousands of ships stranded on both sides of the strait for weeks and affecting the global economy.
Iran blocked passage through this vital sea route, threatening to target any ship that tried to pass through the strait without its consent, in response to the US and Israeli military campaign against it, which began on February 28.
Fears have grown that the cessation of hostilities, announced nearly a month ago, has been undone, after the United Arab Emirates — a key US ally in the Gulf region — reported a wave of Iranian missiles, while drone attacks were reported against at least one ship in the Persian Gulf.
One of the biggest obstacles to achieving peace is said to be the fate of Iran's nuclear ambitions. Washington wants Tehran to give up its uranium, including highly enriched uranium, which could be used to build weapons.
Beijing on May 6 repeated its call for a "comprehensive ceasefire" in the conflict and for the restoration of normal passage through the Strait of Hormuz, while Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi began his first visit to China since the outbreak of the conflict.
Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said after meeting with Araqchi in the Chinese capital that China would work "harder" to end the fighting and play a "greater role in restoring peace and tranquility in the Middle East."
"China believes that a complete cessation of hostilities is necessary, the resumption of conflict is unacceptable, and the continuation of negotiations is particularly important," Wang said, according to a statement from his ministry after the talks, which take place a week before Trump meets his Chinese counterpart, Xi Jinping.
China is heavily dependent on Middle Eastern oil, which is exported and transported through the Strait of Hormuz. Chinese officials have been quietly involved in efforts to help broker a deal and restore shipping traffic./Radio Free Europe
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