Trump Renews Threats Against Iran Amid Failed Nuclear Talks

Trump has said the US will begin blockading the strategic Strait of Hormuz in an attempt to take control of the waterway from Iran in the aftermath of failed peace negotiations between the countries in Pakistan.

The US president also threatened to bomb Iran's water treatment facilities as well as its power plants and bridges, repeating an earlier threat, if Tehran did not agree to abandon its nuclear weapons programme – the key sticking point between the two sides.

The renewed threats come after the latest round of talks between the US and Iran over Tehran's nuclear program ended in failure. The two countries have been at odds for decades, with the US accusing Iran of seeking to develop nuclear weapons and Iran insisting its nuclear activities are for peaceful purposes only.

Trump has taken an increasingly hardline stance against Iran since taking office, withdrawing from the 2015 nuclear deal and imposing crippling economic sanctions. Iran has responded by gradually scaling back its commitments under the agreement and engaging in a war of words with the US.

The threat to blockade the Strait of Hormuz is particularly concerning, as the strategic waterway is a critical chokepoint for global oil shipments. Any disruption to traffic through the strait could have severe economic consequences and potentially escalate tensions between the US and Iran into outright military conflict.

Analysts say the latest threats from Trump are likely intended to ratchet up pressure on Iran and force it back to the negotiating table on more favorable terms for the US. However, Iran has so far shown little willingness to back down in the face of US demands, raising the specter of a dangerous standoff between the two countries.

The failed talks in Pakistan were the latest in a series of diplomatic efforts to resolve the nuclear dispute, which has been a source of tension between the US and Iran for decades. With both sides seemingly unwilling to compromise, the prospect of a peaceful resolution appears increasingly elusive, raising concerns about the potential for escalation and conflict.