**Iran Rejects U.S. Talks; Trump Warns
of Unprecedented Military Response**
Iran has refused direct negotiations with the United States, as President Donald Trump warned of military strikes “like never seen before” if Tehran continues its pursuit of nuclear weapons.
Earlier this month, Trump revealed that he had sent a letter to Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, proposing direct talks to prevent military escalation over Iran’s nuclear program. However, Iran dismissed the offer, according to *The Associated Press*.
Tensions have escalated as Iranian-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen continue launching missile attacks on Israel, the U.S. Navy, and international shipping in the Red Sea. Trump has made it clear that Iran will be held directly responsible for the actions of its proxies.
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian confirmed on Sunday that Tehran had rejected Trump’s proposal, instead leaving the door open for indirect negotiations through Oman.
While the White House and State Department have yet to issue an official response, Trump made his position clear in comments aired by *NBC News*:
**“If they don’t make a deal, there will be bombing—the likes of which they have never seen before.”**
Iran’s air defenses remain significantly weakened after being largely destroyed by Israel in retaliation for previous ballistic missile attacks. With limited defensive capabilities, Tehran may be betting that Trump will hesitate to follow through on his military threats.