President Trump says the US is in a strong negotiating position with Iran as envoys prepare for a second round of talks in Pakistan.
WASHINGTON: President Donald Trump said the United States is in a strong position for talks with Iran as his envoys prepared for a second round of negotiations in Pakistan.
“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.
A US delegation led by Vice President JD Vance was expected to leave for Islamabad, which earlier hosted a first round of talks that ended without progress.
Trump is demanding Iran give up its uranium stockpile and end attempts to control the strategic Hormuz waterway.
Despite weeks of US and Israeli bombing before a ceasefire, Iran has so far refused those conditions.
The ceasefire, in place since April 8, was due to expire late Wednesday in Washington, according to the White House.
In a social media post, Trump told Iran it could boost the chances of success by freeing eight women he said face execution.
“I would greatly appreciate the release of these women,” Trump posted. “Would be a great start to our negotiations!”
Trump’s statement accompanied a re-posting of a claim by a pro-Israel activist that eight women faced death by hanging.
AFP could not verify the claim about most of the women.
However, one image matched a photo published by the Norway-based Hengaw group of Bita Hemmati, who has been condemned to death in Iran.
Iran has carried out multiple executions of people connected to January anti-government protests.
Trump was unclear about whether he would extend the ceasefire if there is no progress in Pakistan.
“Iran can get themselves on a very good footing if they make a deal,” he said.
Asked if he would carry out threats to bomb Iran’s bridges and power plants, Trump said “it’s not my choice but it will also hurt them.”
He said the United States had intercepted a ship carrying a “gift” to Iran from China.
The ship had “a gift from China” which “wasn’t very nice,” Trump told CNBC.
A week ago, Trump announced that China’s President Xi Jinping had assured him there would be no Chinese weapons deliveries to Iran.
