Trump threatens Iran before ceasefire deadline, possible peace talks

President Donald Trump on Monday once again threatened Iran with overwhelming military force and called “lots of bombs.” [will] If no agreement is reached with Tehran before the shaky ceasefire ends on Tuesday evening, we will begin to depart.

The latest threat was made in a phone call. PBS News reporterIt comes as the status of US-Iran peace talks and other key details about the current relationship between the warring powers become increasingly uncertain.

At the same time, Trump resumed his saber-rattling rhetoric that escalated before the fragile ceasefire that ended two weeks ago was reached. In phone calls with reporters over the past two days, Trump has alternated between warmongering and offering vague details about resuming negotiations.

Details of a potential deal also remain unclear. The Trump administration has repeatedly said Iran should never be allowed to obtain nuclear weapons, and the president said Friday that the United States will pick up the “Dust” left after bombing Iran’s nuclear facilities last year.

He also demanded that Iran fully reopen the Strait of Hormuz to ship traffic, which has slowed down since the war began on February 28. oil prices It provides Iran with a major source of influence and encourages the United States to impose a retaliatory naval blockade of Iranian ports amid the ceasefire.

Trump is a Real Social post Monday in the afternoon he boasted that the blockade had “absolutely destroyed Iran” and declared that it would not be lifted until an agreement was reached.

In another post, the president insisted that the deal be made with Iran. “IT WILL BE MUCH BETTER” More than the Obama-era agreement known as the Iran nuclear deal, which Trump canceled during his first term in office.

While attacking his critics, Trump also stated that he did not feel obliged to reach a deal in six weeks; this was his first prediction of the length of the war. “I won’t let them force the United States into making a deal that isn’t as good as it could be.” Trump wrote.

Monday’s threat of more bombings followed a statement made on Sunday morning. Fox News correspondent He said that “the whole country will be blown up” and that Iran’s bridges and power plants will be targeted in these attacks if Tehran does not sign the agreement.

The threats are increasing tensions with Iran as a US delegation prepares to return to Pakistan for a possible second round of peace talks.

A source familiar with the matter told CNBC on Monday morning on condition of anonymity that the delegation “plans to travel to Islamabad soon” to discuss the trip.

The information implying that the delegation had not yet departed came after Trump said the following: New York Post On Monday morning, the reporter said U.S. officials were “heading there now.”

The first round of talks, which took place in Islamabad earlier this month under the leadership of Vice President JD Vance and US special envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, ended without an agreement after a 21-hour negotiation session.

Trump confirmed to the New York Post that the same three officials were part of the runoff delegation.

It is not yet clear whether Iran has agreed to participate in further peace talks.

A spokesman for Iran’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs said at a press conference on Monday that it has no plans to participate in negotiations with the United States.

But the New York Times, citing two senior Iranian officials, says: reported Later Monday morning, it was reported that a delegation from Tehran was planning to travel to Islamabad on Tuesday for talks with the United States

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian in his statement on Monday morning showed how the long-standing hostility between the two sides will inevitably be reflected in any additional negotiations.

“Deep historical distrust of US government behavior continues in Iran,” Pezeshkian wrote in an X post. “The unconstructive and contradictory signals coming from American officials carry a painful message; they want Iran to surrender. Iranians do not bow to force.”

The United States and Iran agreed to a two-week ceasefire on the evening of April 7, shortly before a deadline when Trump warned that “an entire civilization would die” if no deal was reached.

The temporary ceasefire came under increasing pressure during its short duration, with each side accusing the other of violating the terms.

On Sunday, Trump said that the US Navy, which closed Iranian ports near the Strait of Hormuz, opened fire and captured an Iranian-flagged cargo ship that was trying to bypass the blockade.

The increase came as Trump complained that Iran had failed to reopen the strait, through which 20% of the world’s oil transit in normal times.

This is developing news. Please check back for updates.