Trump Issues New Warning to Tehran Amid Reports of Pakistani Mediation

President Donald Trump has escalated rhetorical pressure on Iran, stating in a recent interview that the country will face "a very bad time" if a deal is not reached with Washington. Despite the blunt warning, the President remained non-committal on the likelihood of an agreement. Simultaneously, reports indicate a potential diplomatic opening via Pakistan, with Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi visiting Tehran to facilitate a framework for discussions. Sources suggest "positive progress" regarding the Strait of Hormuz, though direct confidence between the U.S. and Iran remains low. Inside Iran, the domestic situation is deteriorating under the weight of prolonged conflict and economic strain. The country is reportedly grappling with a massive daily gasoline shortage of 30 million liters, leading to long queues at fuel stations in cities like Bandar Abbas. Additionally, the Iranian government continues to maintain a strict 70-day internet blackout, with President Masoud Pezeshkian establishing a new task force led by Vice President Mohammadreza Aref to centralize control over cyberspace. On the international stage, Tehran is attempting to push back against U.S. diplomatic initiatives. Iran’s mission to the United Nations issued a warning to nations co-sponsoring a U.S.-backed resolution, suggesting they would bear responsibility for its consequences. Meanwhile, Iranian state media has begun framing the ongoing hostilities as a "war of attrition" intended to weaken President Trump's domestic political standing, contrasting Washington's initial goals of a swift resolution.