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US Vice President JD Vance will lead an American delegation to Islamabad for another round of talks with Iran, just hours before the current ceasefire is set to expire on Tuesday night, reported Axios. The meeting is seen as a last-minute attempt to secure a deal or extend the truce, even as uncertainty remains over Tehran’s participation.
Officials told Axios that the talks could offer an eleventh-hour opening to prevent further escalation. However, Iran has not confirmed whether it will attend and has raised concerns that the outreach may be a strategic move by the White House rather than a genuine effort to de-escalate.
Tensions have risen sharply in recent days. Iran attacked multiple commercial vessels after announcing it would again shut the Strait of Hormuz, a key global oil route. The move followed U.S. President Donald Trump declining to lift the blockade and Tehran accusing Washington of introducing “maximalist” demands.
Trump convened a Situation Room meeting on Saturday to assess the crisis. A U.S. official said the president continued to push for a deal even as options for escalation were discussed.
In a post on Truth Social, Trump said, “Iran decided to fire bullets yesterday in the Strait of Hormuz — A Total Violation of our Ceasefire Agreement!” He added that U.S. negotiators would reach Islamabad for talks.
“We’re offering a very fair and reasonable DEAL, and I hope they take it because, if they don’t, the United States is going to knock out every single Power Plant, and every single Bridge, in Iran. NO MORE MR. NICE GUY!” Trump wrote.
He further said, “They’ll come down fast, they’ll come down easy and, if they don’t take the DEAL, it will be my Honor to do what has to be done, which should have been done to Iran, by other Presidents, for the last 47 years. IT’S TIME FOR THE IRAN KILLING MACHINE TO END!”
The latest developments mark a shift from earlier signals suggesting the conflict was nearing resolution. With the ceasefire deadline approaching, the outcome of the Islamabad talks could determine whether tensions ease or move toward a wider conflict.
Officials told Axios that the talks could offer an eleventh-hour opening to prevent further escalation. However, Iran has not confirmed whether it will attend and has raised concerns that the outreach may be a strategic move by the White House rather than a genuine effort to de-escalate.
Tensions have risen sharply in recent days. Iran attacked multiple commercial vessels after announcing it would again shut the Strait of Hormuz, a key global oil route. The move followed U.S. President Donald Trump declining to lift the blockade and Tehran accusing Washington of introducing “maximalist” demands.
Trump convened a Situation Room meeting on Saturday to assess the crisis. A U.S. official said the president continued to push for a deal even as options for escalation were discussed.
In a post on Truth Social, Trump said, “Iran decided to fire bullets yesterday in the Strait of Hormuz — A Total Violation of our Ceasefire Agreement!” He added that U.S. negotiators would reach Islamabad for talks.
“We’re offering a very fair and reasonable DEAL, and I hope they take it because, if they don’t, the United States is going to knock out every single Power Plant, and every single Bridge, in Iran. NO MORE MR. NICE GUY!” Trump wrote.
He further said, “They’ll come down fast, they’ll come down easy and, if they don’t take the DEAL, it will be my Honor to do what has to be done, which should have been done to Iran, by other Presidents, for the last 47 years. IT’S TIME FOR THE IRAN KILLING MACHINE TO END!”
The latest developments mark a shift from earlier signals suggesting the conflict was nearing resolution. With the ceasefire deadline approaching, the outcome of the Islamabad talks could determine whether tensions ease or move toward a wider conflict.
