US President Donald Trump has said that Iran has no choice but to send the negotiators to Islamabad for the new round of talks, as he does not intend to extend the ceasefire.
In a blunt ultimatum that sent global markets into a tailspin Tuesday, Trump declared that he has “no interest” in extending the fragile truce with Iran concluding this week. Instead, he warned that the US bombers are “raring to go” if a comprehensive deal could not be reached by Wednesday’s deadline.
Speaking in an exclusive interview with CNBC’s “Squawk Box”, the US president stated there’s growing optimism that the United States would end up with what he called “a great deal.” He dismissed the possibility of the 45-day extension, saying Washington holds the leverage over Iran.
On prospects of a ceasefire to end the raging hostilities in the Middle East, Trump continued, “I don’t want to do that. We don’t have that much time.”
Trump underscored that there wasn’t “much time” to reach a deal, adding that Tehran can get itself on “a very good footing” if they settle on one with Washington. He also floated the idea of resuming the attacks on Iran, saying, “I expect to be bombing ’cause that would be a better attitude to go in with. The military is ready to go.”
Despite the heated rhetoric, the US president outlined that his goal remains cessation of hostilities in a way that would see Tehran permanently abandon its nuclear enrichment ambitions and reopen the Strait of Hormuz to global commercial shipping. Tehran is in a weakened state following the US naval blockade of its ports, Trump noted, adding that the US military strikes on Iranian military infrastructure have left the Islamic Republic “no choice” but to return to the negotiating table.
“They can make themselves into a strong nation again, a wonderful nation again. But they are led by some very, very, unfortunately tough people. And I don’t mean tough in a good way,” Trump said in the interview.
As the 14-day truce is set to expire on April 22 at midnight, Trump accused Iran of violating the already fragile ceasefire. In a short message he posted on Truth Social, Trump wrote: “Iran has Violated the Cease Fire numerous times!” Iran’s foreign ministry, in retrospect, called Washington’s blockade of the waterway “a violation of the agreement.”
Islamabad’s Dilemma
Trump’s defiant rhetoric, “a lot of bombing will go off” if no deal is reached, and other hawkish remarks ahead of the scheduled negotiations have effectively paralysed the diplomatic mission in Pakistan. It is unclear whether the talks will go ahead in Islamabad, as Iran said it has not yet sent a delegation, several sources have told the American broadcasters.
While a delegation led by Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner landed in Islamabad on Monday, Iranian officials have signalled they may boycott the talks entirely. The primary “obstacle,” according to Tehran, remains the US seizure of the cargo ship M/V Touska on Sunday, an event the Iranian military has branded “unlawful,” and an “act of piracy.”
Iran’s Foreign Ministry, in a statement on Tuesday, said that it will not negotiate “under the shadow of threats,” particularly as Trump continues to promise “severe consequences” for any failure to reach an agreement.
The Associated Press is reporting that two regional officials, requesting anonymity, said the US and Iran have indicated that they will be heading to hold talks in Pakistan’s capital. The “Pakistan-led mediators” received confirmation that the US vice-president JD Vance and Iran’s parliament speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf will arrive in Islamabad to lead their teams in the talks.
