Trump Threatens Iran as Ceasefire Nears End

U.S. President Donald Trump has threatened to destroy Iranian infrastructure if Tehran does not accept a peace deal, as negotiations between the U.S. and Iran are set to resume in Pakistan. The ceasefire between the two nations is due to expire on Tuesday, with both sides accusing each other of violations.

The announcement came via a social media post by Trump, who did not specify which officials would be part of the delegation. The last round of talks ended without an agreement, and tensions have since escalated. According to Reuters, Iran has yet to confirm its participation in the upcoming negotiations.

The ceasefire is set to expire at 8 p.m. Eastern time on Wednesday, or midnight GMT or 3:30 a.m. Thursday in Iran, according to Pakistani sources involved in the talks.

Trump accused Iran of violating a two-week ceasefire that is due to expire on Tuesday by opening fire in the Strait of Hormuz. In his post, Trump threatened to destroy civilian infrastructure in Iran if it does not accept the terms of the deal being offered by the U.S. He wrote, 'We’re offering a very fair and reasonable deal, and I hope they take it because, if they don’t, the United States is going to knock out every single power plant, and every single bridge, in Iran.' There was no immediate comment from Iran regarding Trump’s claim of new talks.

Shortly after Trump's statement, Iran’s foreign ministry said that the U.S. naval blockade on Iranian ports violates the ceasefire and is an 'unlawful and criminal' act. The ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baqaei wrote, 'The United States’ so-called ‘blockade’ of Iran’s ports or coastline is not only a violation of Pakistani-mediated ceasefire but also both unlawful and criminal.' He added that the blockade amounts to a war crime and a crime against humanity.

According to Reuters, the U.S. delegation will include Vice President JD Vance, Trump's special envoy Steve Witkoff, and his son-in-law Jared Kushner. Iran reimposed tight restrictions on commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz after the U.S. refused to lift its naval blockade.

As of early Sunday evening, Iranian media said Tehran had yet to decide whether it would take part in the talks, with the IRNA state news agency saying 'there is no clear prospect of fruitful negotiations.' In an interview aired on state television late on Saturday, Iran’s chief negotiator Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf acknowledged a wide gap remained between the sides.

Trump said any talks in Islamabad were the ‘last chance’ for Iran to agree to a peace deal. He reiterated his threat to destroy Iran's power plants and bridges if it does not sign the agreement, stating that unless Iran accepts, he promised to knock out 'every single Power Plant' and 'every single Bridge.' Pakistan’s foreign affairs ministry said its deputy prime minister had spoken with Iran’s foreign minister about the need for continued dialogue.

Pakistan appeared to be preparing for the talks. Two giant U.S. C-17 cargo planes landed at an air base on Sunday afternoon, carrying security equipment and vehicles in preparation for the U.S. delegation's arrival, according to Pakistani security sources. Municipal authorities in Islamabad halted public transport and heavy-goods traffic through the city. Barbed wire was rolled out near the Serena Hotel, where last week's talks were held. The hotel told all guests to leave.

In a phone call with PBS News on Monday morning, Trump stated that if the ceasefire with Iran expires Tuesday, 'then lots of bombs start going off.' He emphasized his primary goal for the negotiating team in Islamabad: preventing Iran from obtaining nuclear weapons. When asked about Jared Kushner's involvement given his business interests in the Middle East, Trump defended his son-in-law’s role, stating that Kushner is purely focused on ensuring Iran does not acquire a nuclear weapon.