The US president has renewed his threat to blow up “every single” Iranian power plant and bridge if it doesn’t accept a “fair and reasonable deal”
The US negotiating team is heading to Pakistan for the next round of Iran peace talks on Monday, President Donald Trump has announced, while renewing his threat to strike Iran’s infrastructure if no deal is reached. In a Truth Social post on Sunday, Trump accused Tehran of violating the temporary ceasefire – set to expire on Wednesday – with reported attacks on ships in the Strait of Hormuz amid a renewed blockade of the waterway.
“Iran decided to fire bullets yesterday in the Strait of Hormuz – a total violation of our ceasefire agreement! That wasn’t nice, was it?” he wrote, claiming French and British vessels were targeted. Before declaring that his “Representatives are going to Islamabad…for negotiations.”
He warned that there would be “No more MR. Nice Guy,” if Tehran didn’t take his “fair and reasonable deal.” Adding that Washington would “knock out every single power plant, and every single bridge, in Iran.”
A Fox News correspondent said Trump indicated that Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner would lead the delegation. Trump told ABC News that Vice President J.D. Vance would skip the talks over “security” concerns, but indicated that he “might go” himself if a deal is close.
The first round of talks in Pakistan failed to make progress, with Iran’s nuclear program remaining the main sticking point. Trump is demanding that Tehran dismantle its infrastructure and hand over its enriched uranium – proposals Iran has rejected as “non-starters.” President Masoud Pezeshkian said on Sunday that Trump has no justification to “deprive Iran of its nuclear rights.”
Tehran has not confirmed the next round, with Tasnim reporting it will not return unless Washington drops its “excessive demands.” However, Pakistani security sources told Al Jazeera that talks are likely before Friday, citing the arrival of two US C-17 aircraft near Islamabad, heightened security, and major hotels being cleared of guests.
Meanwhile, Iran has also escalated its rhetoric. Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baqaei called the US blockade of its ports “not only a violation” of the ceasefire but also “unlawful and criminal” under the UN Charter, amounting to a “war crime” and “collective punishment.” Iran said it was tightening control over the strait and warned mariners that the route was closed again, while army chief Amir Hatami vowed to defend the country’s “independence, territorial integrity, and security… until the last breath” if Washington restarts strikes.
