Is a Turning Point Approaching in the Iran War?... 'U.S. Ultimatum vs Hardline Response' as Negotiation Table Is Prepared

Ghalibaf Warns “Middle East Infrastructure Will Be Destroyed”

Iranian Foreign Minister Also Takes a Hard Line

Bloomberg Reports Iran’s Leadership Is Rallying Internally

White House Begins Preparations for Negotiations with Iran

U.S. President Donald Trump issued a 48-hour ultimatum to Iran, prompting Tehran to respond with a firm declaration that there would be no compromise. Amid this standoff, the Trump administration has begun preparations for negotiations with Iran in anticipation of the end of hostilities. There is now significant attention on whether this week will become a turning point in the Iran war.

Iran Declares Its Will to Resist in Response to Trump’s 48-Hour Ultimatum

Bager Galibaf, Speaker of the Iranian Parliament, on X (formerly Twitter)

In response to the U.S. ultimatum, Iran has signaled intentions for military retaliation through various channels. Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, the hardline Speaker of the Iranian Parliament, declared on March 22 (local time) via the social media platform X (formerly Twitter), "The moment our power plants and infrastructure become targets, the entire region's (Middle East) critical infrastructure—including energy and oil facilities—will be considered targets and face irreversible destruction."

Ghalibaf further warned, "Oil prices will rise for an extended period," cautioning that energy prices could surge as a result of airstrikes.

Shortly after, Ebrahim Zolfaghari, spokesperson for Iran's Central Military Headquarters, stated, "If the U.S. follows through on its threats against Iranian power plants, the Strait of Hormuz will be completely closed and will not reopen until the plants are rebuilt."

He added, "All power plants, energy infrastructure, and ICT facilities of the Zionist regime (Israel) will become widespread targets," and emphasized Iran's hardline stance by stating, "We will also completely destroy Middle Eastern companies in which the U.S. holds stakes."

The series of declarations by Iranian leadership expressing a willingness to resist the U.S. is a direct response to President Trump's ultimatum. Previously, President Trump posted on Truth Social, "If Iran does not fully reopen the Strait of Hormuz within 48 hours, the United States will obliterate Iran’s various power plants, starting with the largest one," exerting pressure on Tehran.

Abbas Araghchi, Iran's Foreign Minister, on 'X' (formerly Twitter)

With Iran signaling its intent to resist the U.S. threats, concerns have arisen that the conflict could further escalate. According to sources such as Western intelligence agencies, the Iranian regime shows no signs of collapse. On the contrary, Bloomberg reported that Iranian officials are rallying around the remaining leadership.

Indeed, Iranian missile attacks against Israel have increased in recent days. The previous day, Iran conducted airstrikes on the southern Israeli cities of Arad and Dimona in retaliation for the attack on its Natanz nuclear facility. Dimona is known as an area containing Israel’s nuclear-related facilities.

The Iranian diplomatic line has also maintained a hardline position. Abbas Araghchi, Iran’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, said, "The Strait of Hormuz is not closed," emphasizing, "The reason ships are hesitant to operate is not because of Iran, but because insurance companies fear the selective war started by you (the U.S. and Israel)." He further asserted, "No insurance company, nor any Iranian, will be shaken by further threats. Show some respect."

White House Begins Preparations for Talks with Iran... Moving to End the War?

The White House was covered in snow earlier this year. Photo by Yonhap News Agency

Amid these developments, the Trump administration is reportedly preparing to wrap up the war and begin talks with Iran. This is seen as preparations for a final offensive to end the conflict. While President Trump wants to conclude the Iran war soon, U.S. officials expect that actual fighting will continue for another two to three weeks before it ends. Consequently, they have begun preparations for postwar negotiations.

According to Axios, the United States has started preparations in anticipation of a shift toward talks with Iran. This process includes the participation of President Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner and Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff.

The core conditions being discussed for a postwar agreement include: immediate reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, removal of Iran’s stockpile of highly enriched uranium, and long-term agreements on nuclear programs and ballistic missiles.

The U.S. is reportedly searching for appropriate intermediaries and neutral countries to facilitate negotiations. Rather than engaging in direct contact, the U.S. and Iran are said to be using Egypt, Qatar, and the UK as intermediaries.

According to Axios, Iran has presented its own conditions for ending the conflict: an immediate ceasefire, guarantees against renewed attacks on Iran, and compensation for war damages. President Trump, while leaving the door open for potential negotiations, reportedly dismissed Iran’s demand for compensation as "not even worth discussing."

The U.S. has interpreted Iran’s proposal of negotiation terms as a positive sign and is said to be continuing to demand six conditions from Iran.

The six conditions presented by the U.S. reportedly include: a five-year suspension of the missile program, zero uranium enrichment, closure of the Natanz, Isfahan, and Fordow nuclear facilities, strict external monitoring of centrifuge production, a regional arms control treaty capping missiles at 1,000, and an end to funding for proxy forces such as Hezbollah, the Houthis, and Hamas.

With both sides holding firm positions, it appears that actual talks may take some time to materialize. As a result, there are predictions that the conflict could escalate further in the coming days.

Mohammad Ayatollah Tabaar, Associate Professor of International Affairs at Texas A&M University’s Bush School of Government and Public Service, wrote in Foreign Affairs, "If Iran is attacked, it aims to rapidly escalate tensions, expand the conflict beyond Israel to the entire Middle East, and inflict damage on the global economy."

He further analyzed, "Iran is mobilizing supporters through nationalism from the grassroots during wartime, reshaping public opinion. The country is focused on both defeating its enemies on the battlefield and strengthening its domestic position."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.