As the clock ticks down on a fragile ceasefire, J.D. Vance remains at the White House, with lingering uncertainty about whether he will make his anticipated trip to Pakistan. This development comes amid crucial peace talks with Iran, which hang in the balance with less than a day left before the truce expires.
President Donald Trump has indicated that military action could resume if Iran refuses to engage in discussions, a stance he reiterated in a Tuesday morning interview with CNBC. Earlier this month, Trump had issued a stern warning to Iran, threatening military intervention over tensions surrounding the Strait of Hormuz. However, he later agreed to a two-week ceasefire, providing a window for potential diplomatic resolution.
The question now is whether Tehran will send representatives to a peace summit in Islamabad, Pakistan, before the ceasefire deadline of 8 p.m. ET on Wednesday. As of yet, Iran has not confirmed its participation, leaving the situation precarious.
In response, senior White House officials are convening today with the Vice President to assess the situation and chart the next steps, as reported by CNN. This strategic meeting underscores the urgency of the matter as the deadline looms.
Initially, Trump had announced that Vance was scheduled to leave Washington for Pakistan on Tuesday morning. However, those plans were abruptly put on hold due to the growing doubts about Iran’s involvement in the peace talks. The unfolding events will likely dictate the administration’s next moves as it grapples with this complex international issue.
Trump had previously said Vance was expected to depart Washington for Pakistan on Tuesday morning. Those plans were scrapped at the last minute as uncertainty grew over whether Iran would participate.
During his CNBC interview, the President said he ‘expects to be bombing Iran’ if talks fail by tomorrow’s deadline, adding ‘the military is raring to go.’
Trump added that he does not want to extend the ceasefire despite confusion over Tehran’s participation.
JD Vance remains at the White House as uncertainty surrounds whether he will depart for Pakistan
Trump is poised to resume bombing if Tehran refuses to come to the table, the President told CNBC Tuesday morning
Tehran has not made it clear whether they will attend a peace summit in Islamabad, Pakistan before the ceasefire expires at 8pm ET Wednesday
‘We don’t have much time [to get a deal] … Iran can make themselves into a strong nation again if they make a deal,’ Trump said.
Pakistan’s Information Minister Attaullah Tarar announced that Tehran has not made a decision to meet with the US despite Pakistan’s ‘sincere efforts to convince’ Iran to attend negotiations.
The country’s foreign minister urged the US and Iran to consider extending the ceasefire by another two weeks ‘to give dialogue and diplomacy a chance.’
The Iran Foreign Ministry, meanwhile, has publicly stated it has ‘no plans for the next round of negotiations’ despite previous reports that Tehran representatives would be traveling to Pakistan.
Peace talks have reached a standstill over Trump’s naval blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, which accounts for a fifth of global oil trade.
The President imposed the blockade after Tehran refused to suspend its nuclear program.
In recent days, US forces have begun boarding and seizing tankers destined for Iranian ports.
Iran’s parliament speaker Mohammed-Bagher Ghalibaf said Monday the regime is ‘prepared’ to renew fighting against US-Israel forces in the Middle East.
‘We do not accept negotiations under the shadow of threats, and in the past two weeks, we have prepared to reveal new cards on the battlefield,’ he wrote on X.
Peace talks have reached a standstill over Trump naval blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, which accounts for one-fifth of global oil trade
US forces have begun boarding and seizing tankers destined for Iranian ports
Global oil markets remain volatile as the war enters its 53rd day, with US gas prices climbing above $4 per gallon on average
Trump vowed to target energy infrastructure should diplomacy fail, warning that ‘lots of bombs start going off.’
Global oil markets remain volatile as the war enters its 53rd day, with US gas prices climbing above $4 per gallon on average.
Trump reportedly aimed to use the Hormuz blockade to pressure Tehran back into talks after the initial Vance-led negotiations collapsed.
However, it appears the President’s move has empowered hardliners within Iranian leadership who are against further diplomatic talks with the US.
