US-Iran Diplomacy Stalls, Risk of War Rises Again
US President Donald Trump has once again increased pressure on Iran. He said the US has only two options: reach a deal with Iran or continue military action to "finish the job." This statement came after indirect US-Iran talks ended without any sign of significant progress.
Trump stated that he preferred a deal because he didn't want to impact tens of millions of Iranians. However, he also asserted that the US has the capability to attack Iran's critical infrastructure if diplomacy fails.
This statement immediately drew a strong response from Iran. The Secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council, Mohammad Baqer Zolqadr, called Trump's threat unrealistic. He emphasized that the Iranian people cannot be pressured by threatening language and urged the US to speak with respect.
This tension arose after the funeral of Iran's Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, which took place over the weekend. During the procession, Iranians displayed a defiant attitude, unwilling to appear weak after the conflict sparked by US and Israeli attacks in late February.
Previously, Washington pushed for a 60-day ceasefire as a space to revive diplomacy. The US's primary focus is preventing Iran from developing nuclear weapons. However, the lack of a breakthrough in talks has made the risk of escalation a major concern.
For global markets, US-Iran tensions remain a key factor to monitor. If the conflict escalates again, the prices of oil, gold, the US dollar, and safe-haven assets could potentially become more volatile. Conversely, if a deal is in sight, geopolitical tensions could ease and provide room for risk sentiment to improve. (arl)
Source: Newsmaker.id
