President Trump on Wednesday drafted a stark social media post warning Iran to “get smart soon” or else face renewed military attacks.
His post featured the words, “No More Mr. Nice Guy” in large black letters above a computer-generated image of the president in a black suit and sunglasses, holding a military-style weapon. Bombs detonate on arid land behind him, a strong allusion to Mr. Trump’s threat to bomb power plants, bridges and other civilian infrastructure if Iran does not meet his terms.
“Iran can’t get their act together. They don’t know how to sign a nonnuclear deal. They better get smart soon!” Mr. Trump wrote on Truth Social.
The post signaled Mr. Trump is running out of patience with factions in Iran as peace talks to end the war falter.
Mr. Trump and Israel launched a military operation against Iran on Feb. 28 to force Tehran officials to abandon their nuclear ambitions and curtail their support for terror proxies in the Middle East.
Iran retaliated by clamping down on oil traffic in the Strait of Hormuz, resulting in economic shocks.
Mr. Trump backed off a threat to bomb civilian infrastructure as part of a ceasefire in early April, though both sides have been unable to reach a deal for lasting peace. The Trump administration says it is dealing with various factions in Tehran that cannot agree on how to negotiate with the U.S.
Mr. Trump called off a trip by U.S. envoys to Pakistan, which is serving as a mediator, and the White House appeared to reject the latest offer from Iran to reopen the strait and postpone talks about its nuclear program.
The president issued his warning on social media while allies in Europe and Asia, weary of energy shocks and other economic fallout, press all sides to reach a solution.
Americans, meanwhile, are feeling the pain at the gas pump.
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The national average price of gasoline reached $4.23 per gallon in the U.S. on Wednesday, according to the AAA motor club.
It is the highest average price since the start of the conflict and up from $4.18 on Tuesday. A gallon of gas cost closer to $3, on average, at the start of the war.
• Tom Howell Jr. can be reached at thowell@washingtontimes.com.
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