Iran sees signs of another round of war after Trump's 'taken over' claim

The fragile calm around the US-Iran conflict is once again beginning to look dangerously unstable. Days after Donald Trump said he had paused a planned military strike on Iran to allow negotiations more time, Tehran is now openly accusing Washington of preparing for another round of war.

Iranian parliamentary speaker and senior negotiator Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf on Wednesday warned that the United States still hoped Iran would surrender and was searching for an opportunity to resume military operations.

"The enemy's movements, both overt and clandestine, show that despite economic and political pressure, it has not abandoned its military objectives and is seeking to start a new war," Ghalibaf said in an audio message carried by Iranian media.

"Close monitoring of the situation in the United States reinforces the possibility that they still hope for the surrender of the Iranian nation." he added.

Hours after his warning, US President Donald Trump made a series of remarks that further deepened uncertainty around Washington's intentions.

Speaking to reporters in Washington, Trump claimed the US had "essentially taken over" Iran while also insisting he was in "no hurry" to end the conflict with Iran.

TRUMP'S MIXED SIGNALS ON ENDING IRAN WAR

The current standoff has increasingly become defined by Trump's unpredictable messaging. On one hand, he says diplomacy deserves another chance. On the other, he continues to warn of massive military action if talks collapse.

Earlier this week, Trump revealed he had halted a planned US strike on Iran after Gulf leaders requested more time for negotiations. But the US president also stressed that his forces remained fully prepared for a large-scale assault if diplomacy failed.

"We'd have to open the strait that would open immediately, so we're gonna give this one shot. I'm in no hurry. Everyone is saying, 'Oh, the midterms.' I'm in no hurry Ideally I'd like to see few people killed, as opposed to a lot," he told reporters on Wednesday.

For Tehran, such remarks appear to have reinforced suspicions that Trump will launch another strike soon.

"We will make the enemy regret attacking Iran again," Ghalibaf warned.

GULF STATES PUSH FOR DIPLOMACY

Behind the scenes, Gulf countries are trying desperately to prevent the crisis from spiralling back into open war. Trump disclosed this week that leaders from Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates had urged him to postpone military action against Iran because "serious negotiations" were underway.

Saudi Arabia praised Trump's decision to extend the diplomatic window. Saudi Foreign Minister Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud said Riyadh appreciated Trump's move to allow more time for negotiations.

However, confusion still surrounds Trump's claims. According to The Wall Street Journal, some Gulf officials later said they were unaware of any immediate US attack plan against Iran.

PAKISTAN'S FRESH PUSH FOR PEACE

While tensions continue, Pakistan is increasing its peace efforts. Islamabad has already passed a revised 14-point Iranian peace proposal to the US through diplomatic channels. However, US officials reportedly believe the proposal still falls short of what Washington wants.

Pakistan's Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi is now travelling to Tehran again for another round of discussions with Iranian leaders.

It will be his second visit within a week.

Pakistan had earlier hosted talks between the two sides and is now attempting to bring both countries back for another round of negotiations before the fragile pause collapses completely.