Trump says US delegation to resume Iran talks in Pakistan, warns of strikes if negotiations fail
US President Donald Trump said on Sunday that an American delegation will travel to Pakistan on Monday, April 20, to resume negotiations with Iran, while warning that the United States could destroy key Iranian infrastructure if talks collapse.
In a post on his Truth Social platform, Trump also accused Tehran of breaching the two-week ceasefire that began on April 8, saying Iran launched attacks on Saturday in the Strait of Hormuz.
Trump said Washington was offering Iran a “reasonable deal” but threatened severe military action if Tehran rejected it.
“The United States will destroy all power plants and all bridges in Iran,” he said, adding that Iranian leaders “will be overthrown quickly” if they do not agree to a deal.
“If they do not accept the AGREEMENT, it will be my honor to do what needs to be done, what should have been done to Iran by other presidents over the last 47 years,” Trump wrote. “Enough of being nice!”
Confusion emerged shortly after Trump’s statement over who would represent the United States in the talks.
A White House source told AFP that Vice President JD Vance would lead the American delegation in Pakistan, alongside special envoy Steve Witkoff and Trump’s son-in-law, Jared Kushner.
But Trump later said Vance would not make the trip, citing security concerns.
“It’s just for safety,” Trump told ABC News. “JD is excellent.”
The Strait of Hormuz, a vital shipping route through which nearly 20 percent of global hydrocarbon trade passed before the war, remained closed on Sunday amid the ongoing conflict triggered by the United States and Israel’s military campaign against Iran on February 28.
Iran said on Saturday that it had once again shut the strategic waterway, only hours after announcing it would reopen it.
The closure came despite a truce that followed inconclusive negotiations held in Pakistan on April 11 and 12.
Tehran said it would not reopen the key maritime corridor until the United States lifts its blockade of Iranian ports.
On Sunday, Trump repeated his accusation that Iran had violated the ceasefire.
“Iran decided to fire bullets yesterday in the Strait of Hormuz: a total violation of our ceasefire agreement!” he wrote.
At least three commercial vessels attempting to pass through the strait came under gunfire on Saturday, according to the account.
This story is written and edited by the Global South World team, you can contact us here.
