President Donald Trump said Tuesday that he is unwilling to let negotiations with Iran drag beyond the deadline set by a temporary cease-fire, signaling that military action could resume if no agreement is reached in time.
According to the New York Post, speaking during an interview on Squawk Box, Trump made clear he does not support extending the talks if negotiators fail to secure a deal before the truce expires.
“Well, I don’t want to do that. We don’t have that much time,” Trump said when asked whether he would allow discussions to continue past the deadline.
Trump said Iran still has an opportunity to improve its standing if its leaders agree to the terms.
“They have to negotiate. And, you know, the one thing I’ll say is this: Iran can get themselves at a very good footing. If they make a deal, they can make themselves into a strong nation again, a wonderful nation again,” Trump said.
At the same time, he criticized the country’s leadership.
“They’re led by some very, very, unfortunately tough people. And I don’t mean tough in a good way. I think it’s very negative for the country.”
Later in the interview, Trump suggested he is prepared to restart military strikes if diplomacy collapses.
“I expect to be bombing because I think that’s a better attitude to go in with,” he said.
U.S. negotiators led by Vice President JD Vance are expected to travel to Pakistan in an effort to push for an end to the conflict that began on Feb. 28.
Iranian officials have publicly signaled resistance to direct talks with Washington. Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, who led Tehran’s delegation in earlier discussions, indicated Iran remained reluctant because of grievances over Trump’s approach.
Trump dismissed that resistance and argued Tehran has little room to avoid negotiations.
“But they have no choice but to send” negotiators, Trump said as he pointed to what he described as heavy damage inflicted on Iran’s military and leadership.
“I think we’re at a very strong negotiating position to do what other presidents should have done during a 47-year period,” Trump said. “So we’re not dealing with the nicest group of people, but we’re dealing with them very successfully. And the blockade has been a tremendous success.”
Throughout the conflict, Trump has repeatedly insisted Iran must abandon its nuclear ambitions and surrender enriched uranium believed to remain underground after U.S. strikes earlier this year.
Another major concern has been the Strait of Hormuz, a key global shipping route for oil. Trump said the United States remains firmly in control of the waterway.
“We totally control the Strait [of Hormuz],” Trump said Tuesday. “Just so you understand, for all the fake news out there.”
