United States President Donald Trump has said he is ready to resume bombing Iran if the upcoming talks fail to make progress. He claimed he did not have time to extend the truce with Tehran.
In an interview with CNBC’s “Squawk Box,” Trump was asked if he would renew the strikes if talks in Islamabad fail to produce results.
“Well, I expect to bomb because I think that’s the better approach. But, you know, we’re ready to go. I mean, the military is in almost no rush,” Trump said. Asked whether he would maintain a ceasefire with Iran if the next round of talks went ahead, Trump said: “Well, I don’t want to. We don’t have that much time.” He added that Iran “had a choice” and “must negotiate”.
Trump on Tuesday accused Iran of violating the ongoing two-week ceasefire agreement between Washington and Tehran “countless times” that was put in place to end more than a month of hostilities in West Asia. The development comes as talks on a comprehensive solution remain uncertain with a deadline for a fragile ceasefire looming.
“Iran has violated the ceasefire many times,” Trump said
The US president took to Truth Social and declared: “Iran has violated the ceasefire numerous times!”
The remarks come amid rising tensions between Washington and Tehran, with a two-week ceasefire set to expire on April 22, fueling fears of a possible escalation in the region.
A truce brokered earlier this month to create space for diplomatic engagement remained fragile, with both sides expressing concerns about its implementation. Efforts are underway to hold another round of talks in Islamabad, the capital of Pakistan, although uncertainty remains over Iran’s participation.
According to Iran’s state broadcaster, the Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting (IRIB), no Iranian diplomatic delegation has yet traveled to Islamabad.
In a statement, the broadcaster strongly denied the presence of any Iranian delegation in Pakistan.
“No Iranian diplomatic delegation – whether primary or secondary team or initial or follow-up mission – has yet traveled to Islamabad, Pakistan,” the statement said.
However, Al Arabiya News, citing a senior Pakistani source, said delegations from the United States and Iran were expected to arrive in the Pakistani capital simultaneously on Tuesday, hinting at a possible breakthrough in regional diplomacy.
According to the report, the two sides are set to meet in Islamabad for high-level talks aimed at easing long-standing tensions.
The planned simultaneous arrival comes amid heightened global attention to the diplomatic process, although official confirmation from Tehran is still awaited. Iran has yet to confirm the development, although reports are rife that arrangements have been made at the venue for a top-level clash between the two rivals.
