US President Donald Trump claims Iran has repeatedly broken a temporary truce, casting doubt on new peace talks as Tehran withholds its delegation
WASHINGTON: US President Donald Trump has accused Iran of repeatedly violating a temporary ceasefire set to expire soon. His accusation comes as new peace talks are mired in doubt after Tehran stated it has not yet sent a delegation.
Trump also touted Washington’s strong negotiating position despite growing uncertainty over efforts to prevent a resumption of open conflict. “Iran has Violated the Cease Fire numerous times!” Trump said in a post on his Truth Social platform without providing details.
A US delegation led by Vice President JD Vance was expected to depart for Islamabad soon. Pakistan hosted a first round of talks earlier this month that concluded without an agreement.
Since those marathon talks, Trump announced a blockade of Iranian ports. Tehran has responded by closing the Strait of Hormuz again and refusing to send officials for a new round of negotiations initially expected on Monday.
“So far, no delegation from Iran has departed for Islamabad, Pakistan,” Iranian state TV said on Tuesday, dismissing contrary reports. Both sides have accused the other of breaching the ceasefire, with Trump citing Iranian fire on ships in the crucial trade route.
Tehran has labelled the US blockade and its seizure of a ship as violations. Despite Tehran shunning new talks, Trump expressed confidence in securing a favourable agreement.
“We’re going to end up with a great deal. I think they have no choice… We’re in a very, very strong negotiating position,” Trump told broadcaster CNBC. He added that Iran could improve its standing by making a deal.
Pakistan continues its last-minute mediation efforts to bring both sides to its capital. Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar urged the warring parties “to consider extending the ceasefire and to give dialogue and diplomacy a chance,” according to a Pakistani foreign ministry statement.
Iranian officials, however, feel the Trump administration has not negotiated in good faith. They accuse Washington of refusing to back down from excessive demands.
Iran’s parliament speaker said the country would not accept talks “under the shadow of threats” from the US. He warned Iran would “show new cards on the battlefield” if the conflict resumed.
Residents in Tehran told AFP that life has worsened despite the truce, squeezed by government pressure and the war’s impact. “This cursed ceasefire has broken us. There is no light at the end of the tunnel,” said Saghar, 39.
The truce is theoretically set to end overnight Tuesday. In comments to Bloomberg, Trump said it would expire on Wednesday evening Washington time and that an extension was “highly unlikely.”
Trump told PBS News that Iran was “supposed to be there” for the talks in Pakistan. He warned that if the ceasefire expires, “then lots of bombs start going off.”
He also stated the US blockade of Iran’s ports would continue until a deal is reached. The US Defense Department said its forces intercepted and boarded a “stateless sanctioned” vessel as part of efforts against networks supporting Iran.
AFP identified the vessel as one affiliated with Iranian activity. Experts suggest Iran’s noncommittal public stance is a bid to pressure Washington.
“The current standoff between the United States and Iran is no longer a clash of capabilities but rather a struggle of political endurance and bargaining leverage,” wrote Daniel Byman of the Center for Strategic and International Studies.
Despite the uncertainty, oil prices fell on Tuesday while stocks rose on lingering hopes for a deal. In Islamabad, heavily armed police and soldiers secured the city’s government quarter, which was virtually shut down.
The Serena hotel, which hosted the last negotiations, asked guests to vacate recently. The rest of the city also saw a beefed-up police presence with offices and schools braced for shutdown orders.
In a related development, Israel and Lebanon will hold fresh talks in Washington on Thursday, a State Department official told AFP. A separate 10-day ceasefire was agreed between the two nations on Friday, including Hezbollah.
Sporadic violence has continued, with Israel’s military warning civilians against returning to villages in southern Lebanon. It claims Hezbollah’s activities are violating the truce.
Israeli attacks on Lebanon have killed at least 2,387 people since the start of the war, according to a Lebanese government body.