United States President, Donald Trump has warned Iran to “get serious” in ongoing efforts to negotiate an end to the escalating conflict, as tensions between Washington and Tehran continue to intensify.

Trump issued the warning on Wednesday, stressing that Iran must approach negotiations with urgency “before it is too late,” amid growing concerns that diplomatic efforts could collapse and give way to further military escalation.

The latest remarks come as indirect talks involving the United States, Iran, and Israel continue behind the scenes, with mediation reportedly led by regional actors including Pakistan, Egypt, and Turkey. Despite the push for dialogue, Tehran has rejected a U.S.-backed ceasefire proposal, describing it as “one-sided” and biased in favour of American and Israeli interests.

Iranian officials insist they remain open to diplomacy but only under conditions they consider fair, including demands for compensation for war-related damages and stronger security guarantees.

The White House has also hardened its tone, warning that Washington is prepared to intensify military operations if Iran refuses to make concessions. Officials indicated that the U.S. could escalate its response if Tehran fails to acknowledge what it sees as shifting realities on the battlefield.

Trump, however, maintains that Iranian leaders are privately signalling willingness to negotiate, even as they publicly reject the current terms—an assertion that Iranian authorities have repeatedly denied.

The conflict, now stretching several weeks, has begun to weigh heavily on global markets, with rising oil prices and heightened geopolitical uncertainty fuelling investor concerns about a prolonged crisis in the Middle East.

With both sides holding firm to their positions and military activity continuing, analysts warn that the situation remains highly volatile, with the prospects for a diplomatic breakthrough uncertain and the risk of wider regional escalation still looming.