U.S. President Donald Trump said tensions with Iran could escalate again within days, warning that a two-week ceasefire announced earlier this month is set to expire on Wednesday evening Washington time, with little chance of extension if negotiations fail.
Speaking to reporters, Trump said the truce, announced on April 7, was unlikely to be prolonged without a deal, increasing pressure on diplomatic efforts aimed at preventing renewed conflict.
“If talks collapse, lots of bombs will start going off,” Trump said, adding that Iran would face severe consequences if an agreement is not reached.
Trump reiterated that the United States would not allow Iran to develop nuclear weapons, saying, “Iran cannot have a nuclear weapon. Very simple.”
The U.S. president claimed the conflict was effectively over and said American forces had performed “amazingly,” asserting that the United States was “winning by a lot.”
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He also pointed to the continued blockade of Iranian ports, which he said was costing Tehran about $500 million per day and would remain in place until a deal is finalized.
Trump further claimed that Iran’s nuclear facilities were destroyed in a U.S. military campaign he referred to as “Operation Midnight Hammer,” saying the removal of debris and radioactive material would take significant time. Independent verification of those claims was not immediately available.
Despite the sharp rhetoric, Trump said he believed a deal could be reached relatively quickly and denied facing pressure to conclude an agreement. He said Iran would eventually return to the negotiating table, though he acknowledged uncertainty over Tehran’s participation in the next round of talks.
Negotiations are expected to take place in Islamabad, according to Trump, who said Vice President JD Vance and envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner were traveling for discussions. However, conflicting reports suggested Vance may still be in Washington, leaving the status of the delegation unclear.
Iran has not officially confirmed its participation in the talks, though sources familiar with the matter said Tehran may be open to further discussions.
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The White House said any agreement secured by Trump could help ensure long-term peace and security, while critics warned that Washington could be moving toward another contentious deal reminiscent of past nuclear agreements.
Trump also criticized major U.S. media outlets, including The New York Times, The Washington Post and The Wall Street Journal, accusing them of unfair coverage of the conflict.
He added that the Strait of Hormuz would remain blocked until a deal is reached, signaling continued economic pressure on Iran.
With the ceasefire deadline approaching and diplomatic efforts unresolved, officials on both sides face a narrowing window to prevent renewed hostilities.
