President Donald Trump has issued a stark new warning to Iran, declaring that the 'clock is ticking' as peace negotiations remain stalled. In a post on Truth Social on Sunday, Trump wrote: 'For Iran, the Clock is Ticking, and they better get moving fast, or there won't be anything left of them. Time Is Of The Essence! President DJT.'
Trump's message came ahead of a scheduled conversation with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Sunday afternoon to discuss regional developments. An Israeli official told Axios that the two leaders discussed Iran, and the outlet also reported that Trump's national security team is expected to meet on Tuesday.
Iranian media reported on Sunday that the Trump administration had offered no meaningful concessions in response to Tehran's latest proposals, raising fears that negotiations could collapse. The warning followed Trump's earlier statement that the fragile ceasefire was on 'massive life support' and his dismissal of Iran's counteroffer as 'totally unacceptable.'
The Trump administration faces mounting pressure to end the conflict in Iran as midterm elections approach, with gasoline prices surging by more than 50 percent to a national average of $4.51 per gallon. Secretary of War Pete Hegseth sought to avoid giving a clear answer about the cost of the conflict during a House Appropriations Committee hearing on Tuesday morning.
Hegseth appeared before the committee alongside Pentagon comptroller Jay Hurst and other officials to discuss the Pentagon's budget. When probed by California Democrat Pete Aguilar for more details, Hegseth said the Pentagon would 'share what we can when it's relevant and required.' Aguilar responded that he believed 'this would be the format that would be required.'
Hurst informed lawmakers that the estimated cost of the war had risen to $29 billion, up from the earlier $25 billion he had presented at the end of April. He attributed the increase to 'updated repair and replacement of equipment costs, and also just general operational costs to keep people in theater.'
