Trump Says He Doesn’t Want to Extend the Cease-Fire as Iran Insists It Will ‘Refuse to Negotiate Under Threat’

(SeaPRwire) –   President Donald Trump is pushing for a swift agreement between the United States and Iran. On Tuesday morning, he stated his opposition to extending the current cease-fire, which is set to lapse in just a few hours.

Speaking to CNBC, he remarked, “Time is running out,” while maintaining that the U.S. holds a powerful position in negotiations and will likely secure an “excellent” outcome.

Trump further cautioned that the U.S. is prepared to restart military operations against Iran if there is no progress in the discussions.

“I anticipate resuming strikes because I believe that is a more effective stance to take. We are prepared; the military is ready to act,” he declared.

However, with Tehran adamant that it will “not engage in talks under coercion or force,” it is unclear if Iranian officials will participate in peace negotiations with Washington.

Reza Amiri Moghadam, the Iranian ambassador to Pakistan, defended this stance as a “universally recognized truth for a great civilization” and described it as a “fundamental Islamic and theological tenet.”

The diplomatic impasse occurs as tensions rise over the Strait of Hormuz.

Over the weekend, the U.S. Navy intercepted an Iranian vessel in the Gulf of Oman that was attempting to circumvent the American naval blockade. Iran contends that both the blockade and the ship’s seizure constitute violations of the truce.

Conversely, the U.S. has charged Iran with breaching the cease-fire by discharging weapons in the Strait, a vital trade route that Tehran has restricted since the conflict began.

“Iran has repeatedly broken the cease-fire,” Trump asserted on Tuesday morning.

As the unstable truce nears its end and the threat of renewed combat grows, Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad-Bagher Ghalibaf warned that his nation is “ready to deploy new strategies on the field.”

Mirroring the views of Moghadam and other officials, he emphasized that Iran refuses to “negotiate while facing threats.”

Additionally, Ali Abdollahi, a commander at Iran’s Khatam al-Anbiya Central Headquarters, stated that the “oversight and regulation of the Strait of Hormuz” would not be “manipulated by the deceptive and misguided U.S. President.”

Uncertainty surrounds U.S.-Iran peace negotiations as truce expiration nears

While the American team—once again headed by Vice President J.D. Vance—is slated to arrive in Pakistan this week, Iran has not yet verified its participation.

Iranian state media indicated on Tuesday that no delegation from Tehran had reached Pakistan “as of now.”

Consequently, it remains unclear if Vance, special envoy Steve Witkoff, and Jared Kushner, the president’s son-in-law, will have counterparts to meet with.

A previous 21-hour negotiation marathon on April 11 concluded without a deal, increasing the pressure for this round, particularly since the cease-fire ends early Wednesday, Iran time.

Despite the lack of official confirmation, Pakistani authorities have bolstered security in Islamabad for the anticipated talks.

Meanwhile, the Foreign Ministry of Pakistan has called on both Washington and Tehran to prolong the two-week truce to “allow for continued dialogue and diplomacy.”