President Donald Trump issued a sharp warning to Iran on Wednesday, urging Tehran to “get smart soon” as negotiations over its nuclear programme remain stalled amid a fragile ceasefire.
The comments follow Iran’s proposal to delay key decisions on its nuclear activities while prioritizing an end to hostilities and reopening the Strait of Hormuz.
Trump criticized the proposal on his Truth Social platform, writing, “Iran can’t get their act together. They don’t know how to sign a nonnuclear deal. They better get smart soon!”
His post included an AI-generated image depicting him holding a firearm against a backdrop of explosions, accompanied by the phrase “NO MORE MR. NICE GUY!”
The warning comes after the latest round of talks was called off, with the White House signaling it would not rush into an agreement and reiterating that Iran must not obtain nuclear weapons.
Washington has intensified economic measures against Tehran, targeting financial networks, oil trade, and alleged procurement channels.
US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said actions against Iran’s “shadow banking infrastructure” and related systems have disrupted significant revenue streams.
Sanctions have also extended to a Chinese refinery and dozens of shipping entities linked to Iranian oil exports.
These measures have coincided with a sharp decline in Iran’s currency, which fell to approximately 1.8 million rials per dollar on the black market, marking a record low and a notable drop since late February.
Analysts describe the current phase as one of “intense competition,” with both sides signaling endurance rather than immediate escalation.
Amid diplomatic deadlock, competing narratives have emerged over the fate of detained protesters, reflecting broader tensions between Washington and Tehran.
Trump claimed that eight women protesters facing execution would no longer be killed, attributing the outcome to his intervention.
Iranian authorities rejects such claims, with the Iranian Embassy SA stating, “Hurray, Trump saved 8 AI-generated people,” while officials indicated that the individuals referenced were not facing execution.
The exchange highlights a widening information dispute, with both sides presenting conflicting accounts regarding detainees and their treatment.
The episode underscores the challenges of verifying claims amid heightened political tensions, as human rights concerns continue to intersect with diplomatic confrontation.