– The Washington Times
President Trump threatened Wednesday to bomb Iran at a “much higher level” if Tehran does not agree to emerging terms to end the war.
Mr. Trump heaped pressure on the Iranians one day after agreeing to pause Project Freedom, an effort to free commercial ships in the Strait of Hormuz, upon the request of Pakistani mediators who say a deal is forming.
“Assuming Iran agrees to give what has been agreed to, which is, perhaps, a big assumption, the already legendary Epic Fury will be at an end, and the highly effective Blockade will allow the Hormuz Strait to be OPEN TO ALL, including Iran,” Mr. Trump posted on social media. “If they don’t agree, the bombing starts, and it will be, sadly, at a much higher level and intensity than it was before.”
The U.S. and Israel launched a military operation against Iran on Feb. 28 that killed top leaders and decimated the Islamic republic’s military.
The two sides agreed to a ceasefire in early April, after Mr. Trump threatened to bomb Iran’s power plants, bridges and other infrastructure.
The pause in fighting turned the conflict into a battle of economic will.
Iran clamped down on oil traffic in the Strait of Hormuz, while Mr. Trump imposed a maritime blockade on Iran to force it to the negotiating table.
Recent efforts to free ships from the strait showed moderate success, though it sparked new friction in the region as Iran attacked ships and sites in the United Arab Emirates.
Pakistan’s mediators thanked Mr. Trump for pausing the effort, calling it “courageous leadership.”
“We are very hopeful that the current momentum will lead to a lasting agreement that secures durable peace and stability for the region and beyond,” Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said.
• Tom Howell Jr. can be reached at thowell@washingtontimes.com.
