The United States has carried out airstrikes on Iran for nearly two weeks, with President Donald Trump signalling that he is not yet ready to pursue negotiations, saying it is "too early" for diplomacy as military operations continue.
The US military launched its 13th consecutive night of strikes on Thursday, targeting Iranian military infrastructure, drone facilities and other strategic sites. The sustained campaign follows the collapse of an interim truce and marks one of Washington's longest uninterrupted military operations against Iran in the ongoing conflict.
Speaking to reporters, Trump indicated that the military campaign would continue despite renewed calls for diplomacy. While acknowledging that Iran has shown some willingness to engage, he said the time was not yet right for negotiations, insisting Tehran must first demonstrate a genuine commitment to ending hostilities.
The remarks underscore a shift away from immediate diplomatic efforts as Washington intensifies pressure on Tehran. US officials have maintained that the strikes are aimed at degrading Iran's military capabilities and protecting American forces and commercial shipping routes in the region.
Iran, however, has continued to retaliate through missile and drone attacks targeting US-linked military facilities and regional allies, while insisting it will not negotiate under military pressure. Tehran has repeatedly accused Washington of escalating the conflict instead of creating conditions for meaningful dialogue.
The prolonged military campaign has heightened fears of a wider regional war, with the conflict increasingly spilling beyond Iran. Attacks by Iran-backed Houthi rebels on commercial shipping in the Red Sea have further raised tensions and disrupted key maritime trade routes. Brent crude oil climbed above $100 a barrel as concerns over global energy supplies intensified.
International concern has also grown over the absence of a diplomatic breakthrough. The United Nations has urged restraint, warning that continued escalation could destabilise the broader Middle East, while several governments have called for an immediate return to negotiations.
Despite growing international pressure, there is little indication that either Washington or Tehran is prepared to de-escalate, with the US signalling further military action and Iran vowing to continue its response unless the strikes cease.
