I'm winning war by a lot: Trump declares as Iran talks teeter on edge

At a time when a second round of talks is expected in Pakistan, uncertainty continues to cloud both participation and intent. While Trump insists progress is being made militarily and diplomatically, Iran has raised serious concerns about US actions.

In Short

• Trump claims US is winning war against Iran decisively
• Confusion persists over US delegation's arrival for talks in Pakistan
• Iran accuses US of ceasefire violations and provocative actions

US President Donald Trump has doubled down on his claim that the United States is decisively ahead in its conflict with Iran, even as diplomatic efforts hang in the balance and messaging from Washington appears increasingly inconsistent. His series of posts on Truth Social project confidence, but developments on the ground and in diplomacy tell a far more complicated story.

At a time when a second round of talks is expected in Pakistan, uncertainty continues to cloud both participation and intent. While Trump insists progress is being made militarily and diplomatically, Iran has raised serious concerns about US actions, and even the timeline of negotiations remains unclear amid conflicting reports.

TRUMP PROJECTS CONFIDENCE AMID WAR

In a lengthy post, the US President claimed overwhelming success in the conflict, writing: "I’m winning a War, BY A LOT, things are going very well, our Military has been amazing." He went on to attack US media outlets, saying coverage from "The Failing New York Times," Washington Posts and Wall Street Journal falsely suggests setbacks.

He also asserted that Iran’s military capabilities have been severely degraded, claiming its navy has been "completely wiped out" and its air force pushed into hiding. The main pillar of his argument is the ongoing US blockade, which he said is "absolutely destroying Iran" and will remain until there is a deal.

"They are losing $500 Million Dollars a day, an unsustainable number, even in the short run," Trump wrote. In another post, he added that Iranian leadership had "forced hundreds of Ships toward the United States" to sell oil, thanking them sarcastically.

The US President also turned his focus to a potential agreement with Iran, insisting any deal under his leadership would be stronger than the 2015 nuclear accord. "The DEAL that we are making with Iran will be FAR BETTER than the JCPOA," he wrote, criticising the earlier agreement as "one of the Worst Deals ever made."

He claimed that without his intervention, Iran would have developed nuclear weapons that could threaten Israel and US military bases. "If a Deal happens under 'TRUMP,' it will guarantee Peace, Security, and Safety," he said, presenting the outcome as a global stabiliser.

CONFUSION OVER TALKS IN PAKISTAN

Despite Trump’s confident tone, confusion persists over the status of upcoming talks in Islamabad. He told The New York Post that a high-level US delegation -- including Vice President JD Vance, envoy Steve Witkoff and adviser Jared Kushner -- was already en route. However, reports from news agencies Reuters and Associated Press indicate that JD Vance had not yet departed as of Monday. This back-and-forth has added to perceptions of mixed signals from Washington at a critical moment.

Speculation is also growing that Iran may pull out of the talks altogether, particularly after disagreements over the Strait of Hormuz, violation of ceasefire and a US seizure of an Iranian-flagged cargo ship.

IRAN FLAGS BAD FAITH AND CEASEFIRE VIOLATIONS

Iran has questioned the credibility of the diplomatic process. In a call with Pakistan’s Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said "provocative actions and repeated violations of the ceasefire" by the US are major obstacles. He pointed to "threats against and interference" with Iranian commercial vessels, as well as "contradictory positions and threatening rhetoric" from Washington. Abbas Araghchi added that Iran would consider "all aspects and decide about the way forward," without confirming participation in the Islamabad talks.

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian reinforced this stance, writing on X that "honoring commitments is the basis of meaningful dialogue." He also warned that "Iranians do not submit to force."

PAKISTAN PUSHES FOR BREAKTHROUGH

Amid the uncertainty, Pakistan remains cautiously optimistic. A senior government official told Reuters that there has been a positive signal from Tehran and that efforts are under way to ensure Iran’s presence when talks begin. "Things are fluid, but we are trying to ensure that they will be here," the official said as Islamabad continues to act as a mediator at a time when tensions remain high.

The first direct talks held last week in Islamabad collapsed, where more than 21 hours of intense negotiations failed to yield any agreement. US Vice President JD Vance, who led the American side alongside special envoy Steve Witkoff and adviser Jared Kushner, called the outcome disappointing. Iran, meanwhile, blamed Washington’s "excessive demands."

The deadline for the two-week ceasefire between US and Iran will end on April 22. Washington bluntly declared that if the fragile two-week ceasefire with Iran expires without a breakthrough, "then lots of bombs start going off."

- Ends