Trump issues chilling threat to Iran as Pentagon prepares 'FINAL BLOW' using ground troops

Donald Trump warned Iranian leaders they better 'make a deal' soon 'before it is too late' amid reports the US is preparing for a 'final blow', including ground troops. 

The President's threat comes as his five-day ceasefire on strikes against Iranian energy facilities is set to expire in the next 48 hours with no plan for an extension.

Officials have told Trump that a crushing show of force could help bring the war with Iran to a close, strengthen US leverage in future peace talks, and allow the President to declare victory.

The Pentagon, under the direction of Pete Hegseth, is preparing military options for a 'final blow' against the Islamic regime that could include a ground invasion and a widespread aerial bombing campaign, according to Axios. 

Trump wrote on Truth Social: 'The Iranian negotiators are very different and “strange.” They are “begging” us to make a deal, which they should be doing since they have been militarily obliterated, with zero chance of a comeback, and yet they publicly state that they are only “looking at our proposal.”'

'WRONG!!! They better get serious soon, before it is too late, because once that happens, there is NO TURNING BACK, and it won’t be pretty!'

Iran has begun reinforcing Kharg Island, a critical oil hub, for a potential US ground invasion by laying traps such as anti-personnel and anti-armor mines along likely landing zones. US officials have warned the administration that any such ground operation would carry significant risks, including the potential for high numbers of American casualties.

The regime rejected Trump's 15-point plan to end the war, claiming the terms were 'excessive' and that the conflict would end on Tehran's 'own timeline.'

Trump, meanwhile, declared victory on Wednesday evening while speaking to his fellow Republicans about how the US had 'cut out the cancer' of Iran's nuclear program. 

The President told supporters at the National Republican Congressional Committee in DC on Wednesday that the US military had won the war. 

'It’s short term. What we had to do is get rid of the cancer. We had to cut out the cancer. The cancer was Iran with a nuclear weapon,' he said.

Behind-the-scenes, Trump has reportedly told his closest advisers to begin drafting plans to wrap up the war within the next few weeks as he seeks to avoid a long term conflict with the regime.

Trump had initially outlined a four to six-week timeline at the beginning of the war and he wants to stick to that goal.

The Wall Street Journal reported that the White House hopes to have the war concluded by the time Trump with Chinese leader Xi Jinping in Beijing hold a scheduled meeting in mid-May.

However, Trump’s push for a quick off-ramp may prove difficult, as top Iranian officials have refused to agree to a ceasefire unless their sweeping demands, including reparations, are met.

Israeli forces led by Benjamin Netanyahu are seeking to intensify strikes against Iran's military infrastructure over fears the US could soon settle with the regime.

Netanyahu ordered the Israel Defense Forces to strike as many high-value Iranian targets as possible as the US submitted a 15-point peace plan on Tuesday.

The Israeli prime minister and his top military advisers were alarmed the US plan did not go far enough to curb Tehran's military capabilities, despite its tight restrictions on Iran's missile stockpile and nuclear program.

Netanyahu's deadline reflects deep concern within the Israeli government that Trump could reach a deal with Tehran at any moment, sources say.

Israeli officials present at Netanyahu's underground meeting described the atmosphere as 'tense.'

Netanyahu's inner circle is intent on reaching three key war goals: eliminating Iran's ballistic-missile stockpile, ensuring Tehran cannot develop a nuclear warhead, and fostering an environment within Iran for civilians to overthrow the Islamic regime.

The Trump administration has quietly distanced itself from the regime-change goal after strikes against senior leadership failed to topple the government.