Trump accuses Iran of taking 'too long' to negotiate peace deal

US President Donald Trump accused Iran of taking too long to negotiate a peace deal, stating, 'Iran is all talk and no action' and warning they would 'have to pay the price.' His remarks followed a US helicopter downing by Iran, which triggered retaliatory strikes by both sides, including Iranian attacks on American bases in Jordan and Bahrain. The US military confirmed the Apache helicopter was the second crewed aircraft shot down by Iran during the conflict. Bahrain intercepted and destroyed Iranian aerial attacks, while Jordan shot down five missiles with no reported casualties. Kuwait also reported engaging hostile aerial targets. Iran’s foreign ministry reiterated its neighbors’ responsibility to prevent US or Israeli attacks from their territory. Trump hinted at further military action, suggesting he might target Iran’s power plants and bridges due to stalled peace talks. Meanwhile, Qatar and Pakistan, acting as mediators, sent negotiators to Tehran to bridge remaining gaps in diplomacy. At a UN Security Council meeting, Secretary-General Antonio Guterres warned that even a limited conflict could escalate into full-scale war, urging restraint. Regional allies Russia and China also called for de-escalation, expressing concern over the renewed US-Iran confrontation. The conflict began with US-Israeli strikes on Iran and has since drawn in Lebanon, where Iran-backed Hezbollah militants have clashed with Israel. Despite a nominal truce, exchanges of fire continue, with over 3,600 deaths reported in Lebanon’s conflict. Iran insists any peace deal must include a ceasefire in Lebanon.