Donald Trump, back in U.S. President’s seat, stirs chaos with provocative statements and reckless decisions, pushing the Middle East toward boiling point.

His latest target? Iran. Tehran now braces for conflict, issuing a red alert after Trump’s open threats, raising fears of a catastrophic war sparked by one man’s impulsive mindset.

On March 30, Trump warned Tehran, saying negotiations failing could lead to unprecedented bombing and fresh tariffs. “If Iran doesn’t make a deal, we’ll bomb them like they’ve never seen before,” he declared.

Earlier, on March 7, he sent a negotiation proposal to Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei only to flip days later with threats of destruction. This erratic behavior forces Tehran to prepare for the worst.

Iran’s response came swift and stern. Khamenei ordered armed forces to maximum alert, vowing to crush any U.S. interference. “We don’t fear military action. If they destabilize us we’ll strike back hard,” he said.

A senior Iranian official, speaking anonymously to Reuters, confirmed Tehran sent notices to Iraq, Kuwait, UAE, Qatar, Turkey, and Bahrain. The message? Allowing U.S. forces to use their airspace or land for attacks on Iran would be seen as hostile, with “severe consequences” to follow.

Tehran rejects direct talks with Washington, favoring indirect discussions through Oman, a longtime mediator. Iranian leaders believe this approach tests US sincerity for a political solution. Despite Trump’s claim of direct negotiations starting Saturday, Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi clarified these would remain indirect, exposing confusion in Trump’s camp.

Middle East tensions soar as Trump’s “maximum pressure” policy reignites. His threats follow a pattern—sanctions hit Iran weekly, targeting its drone program and allies in China and UAE.

Analysts warn one misstep could drag the region, and the world into chaos. Russia, Iran’s ally condemned Trump’s rhetoric, calling strikes on nuclear sites “unacceptable” and predicting disastrous fallout.

Khamenei stands firm signaling Iran’s military readiness. Tehran insists its nuclear program stays peaceful, but Trump and Israel, a key U.S. ally, fear weaponization looms near. With proxies like Hamas and Hezbollah weakened, Iran’s vulnerability grows—yet so does its defiance.

Read more: Trump’s Nuclear Talks Gambit with Iran: Peace Ploy or War Drums?

Trump’s fire-and-fury tactics contrast sharply with global calls for stability. World leaders watch anxiously as his threats echo louder than diplomacy. One question lingers: who can stop this wildcard from setting the Middle East ablaze? For now, Tehran, the region, and beyond brace for impact as Trump plays with fire once more.