Washington/Islamabad: With a fragile ceasefire between Iran and Israel approaching its deadline, US President Donald Trump has delivered mixed messages on the future course of Washington’s involvement, alternating between optimism over diplomacy and warnings of renewed military escalation.
In recent remarks and social media posts, Trump suggested he was not in a hurry to bring the conflict to a close, even as he voiced confidence that fresh negotiations with Tehran could take place soon in Islamabad. However, he also cautioned that failure to reach an agreement before the ceasefire expires could lead to intensified hostilities, hinting at a possible surge in military action.
The 14-day truce, which is set to end on Wednesday, has come under increasing strain following renewed tensions in and around the Strait of Hormuz. Despite the uncertainty, the US administration appears to be pushing ahead with diplomatic efforts.
Vice President JD Vance is expected to travel to Pakistan to lead the American delegation for a proposed second round of talks with Iran. The meeting is likely to be held in Islamabad, where Pakistani authorities have continued preparations despite doubts over Iran’s participation.
Tehran, however, has adopted a firm stance. Iran’s chief negotiator and Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf accused Washington of attempting to force concessions through pressure. In a statement, he asserted that Iran would not engage in talks under threats and indicated that the country was prepared to escalate its response if necessary.
Iran has also signaled that it may hold back from attending the upcoming discussions unless there is a shift in the US approach, particularly regarding demands seen as unacceptable by Tehran.
The contrasting positions have cast doubt over the immediate prospects of diplomacy, even as Pakistan continues to play a mediating role by maintaining communication channels with both sides.
With the ceasefire deadline looming and tensions simmering, the coming days are expected to be critical in determining whether dialogue can resume or if the region will witness another round of escalation.
