Iran Responds to U.S. Ultimatum with 'No Compromise'... Is a Turning Point Near in the Iran War? [U.S.-Iran War]

Iran Responds to U.S. ‘48-Hour Ultimatum’ Threat
"No Compromise: Destruction of U.S.-Affiliated Middle Eastern Companies"
U.S.: "War Will Be Prolonged if Iran Refuses"
White House Begins Preparations for Talks with Iran
On Iran’s Deman

U.S. President Donald Trump has issued a 48-hour ultimatum to Iran, while Iran has responded by declaring there will be "no compromise." As both sides continue their hardline standoff, concerns are rising that the duration of U.S. operations could be prolonged. However, some analysts suggest that both parties are preparing for negotiations. There is cautious speculation that, although both sides are publicly maintaining a hardline stance, a turning point could emerge after the ultimatum that may suddenly reverse the situation.

Iran Declares Determination to Resist Trump’s ‘48-Hour Ultimatum’

In response to the U.S. ultimatum, Iran has signaled military retaliation through various channels. Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, Speaker of Iran’s Parliament and a hardliner, stated on social media platform X (formerly Twitter) on the 22nd (local time), "The moment Iran’s power plants and infrastructure are targeted, we will consider the core infrastructure, energy, and oil facilities of the entire region (the Middle East) as targets, and they will be irreversibly destroyed." Ghalibaf also warned, "Oil prices will rise for a long period," indicating that airstrikes could trigger a sharp increase in energy prices.

Ebrahim Zolfaghari, spokesperson for Iran’s Central Military Headquarters, also declared, "If the U.S. threat targeting Iranian power plants is carried out, the Strait of Hormuz will be completely closed and will not reopen until the plants are rebuilt." He emphasized that "all power plants, energy infrastructure, and ICT facilities of the Zionist regime (Israel) will be extensively targeted," and also warned that "companies in the Middle East in which the U.S. holds stakes will be completely destroyed."

Previously, President Trump, via the social media platform Truth Social, pressured Iran by stating, "If Iran does not fully reopen the Strait of Hormuz within 48 hours, the U.S. will obliterate all of Iran’s power plants, starting with the largest ones." He thus escalated the pressure by broadening the scope of potential strikes to include Iran’s national infrastructure.

Despite this pressure, Iran’s resolve to resist remains unshaken, raising concerns that the conflict could intensify. Bloomberg reported, based on assessments from Western intelligence agencies, that there are no signs of the Iranian regime collapsing. Instead, Iranian officials are said to be consolidating around the remaining leadership. In fact, recent Iranian missile attacks against Israel have increased. The previous day, Iran carried out airstrikes on the southern Israeli cities of Arad and Dimona in retaliation for the attack on its Natanz nuclear facility. Dimona is home to Israel’s nuclear-related facilities.

The U.S. administration intends to extend the war if Iran does not comply with the ultimatum. On the 22nd (local time), Israel’s Channel 12 reported that White House officials had informed the Israeli side that it could take several weeks for the U.S. to conduct potential military operations aimed at reopening the Strait of Hormuz.

American officials have also emphasized to Israel the need for a strategic shift. The report explained that the U.S. expressed its determination to no longer tolerate a situation in which Iran holds the Strait of Hormuz—a vital route through which 20% of the world’s oil trade passes—as leverage.

On the 25th of last month, former U.S. President Donald Trump's State of the Union address was broadcast on the TV in the waiting room at Seoul Station. Photo by Yonhap News Agency

White House Begins Preparing for Iran Talks... Is an End to the War in Sight?

While both sides have signaled an escalation, there are reports that the Trump administration has begun preparing for talks with Iran. According to Axios, the U.S. has started preparations in anticipation of a possible shift to negotiations with Iran. These discussions involve President Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner and Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff. The key terms for negotiations to end the conflict reportedly include the immediate reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, the disposal 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 suitable negotiators and mediating countries. Egypt, Qatar, and the UK are said to be acting as intermediaries. According to Axios, Iran’s conditions for ending the conflict include an immediate ceasefire, guarantees to prevent renewed attacks on Iran, and compensation for war damage. President Trump, while leaving open the possibility of negotiations, is said to have dismissed Iran’s demand for compensation as "not even worth discussing."

However, the U.S. views Iran’s presentation of negotiation terms as a positive signal and has reportedly demanded a five-year suspension of Iran’s missile program, zero uranium enrichment, the closure of the Natanz, Isfahan, and Fordow nuclear facilities, strict external monitoring of centrifuge production, a regional arms control treaty (limiting missiles to 1,000 units), and a halt to funding for proxy groups such as Hezbollah, the Houthis, and Hamas.

Mohammad Ayatollahi Tabaar, Associate Professor of International Affairs at the Bush School of Government and Public Service at Texas A&M University, wrote in Foreign Affairs, "If attacked, Iran 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 and reshaping public opinion through nationalism during wartime, moving from the bottom up. At the same time, Iran is focusing on defeating adversaries on the battlefield and strengthening its domestic standing."

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