Trump rules out ceasefire extension, expects 'great deal' with Iran as deadline nears end

As the 14-day US-Iran ceasefire deadline nears end, US Presdident Donald Trump has ruled out any extensions in ceasefire and expects a 'great deal with Iran' after negotiation talks.

The United States of America President Donald Trump has ruled out any ceasefire extensions with Iran as a 14-day deadline ends on Wednesday.

Donald Trump said Washington is in a strong position in negotiations with Iran and said, ‘going to end up with a great deal’ at the end of the war.

In an interview with CNBC, the US President said, “I think they have no choice.”

On the second round of negotiations with Iran, the President said, “We’ve taken out their Navy, we’ve taken out their Air Force, we’ve taken out their leaders.”

No ceasefire extensions

On extension of the ceasefire deadline, the US President said, “Well, I don’t want to do that.”

“We’re not dealing with very good people, but we’re dealing with them very successfully, and the blockade has been a tremendous success,” added President Trump.

On the Strait of Hormuz, Trump said, “We’re not opening it, we totally control it.”

When asked about the ceasefire deadline and possible extensions, President Trump cleared his stance, saying, “ I don’t want to do that…we don’t have that much time.”

Trump was direct about the deadline. When asked if he required at least the prospect of a signed deal within 48 hours or would resume military action, he responded immediately, "Well, I expect to be bombing because I think that’s a better attitude to go in with, but we’re ready to go,” he added.

Also Read: Iran says it has 'new cards' if fighting resumes; Trump warns 'bombs will go off' if no deal

Trump’s praise wrapped warning to Iran

The US President presented Iran with a clear ultimatum: act now or suffer the fallout. Trump said, "Iran can get themselves in a very good footing if they make a deal. They can make themselves into a strong nation again, a wonderful nation again. They have incredible people... they have to use reason, and they have to use common sense.”

Iran-US negotiation talks

Despite Trump's signals that the ceasefire might not hold and rising tensions, backchannel progress appears to be underway.

Axios reports that Iran's new Supreme Leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, has approved sending the negotiating team to Islamabad. This could pave the way for Wednesday's pivotal talks, even as threats fly before the ceasefire deadline.

But according to Iran's state broadcaster, the Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting (IRIB), no Iranian diplomatic delegation has travelled to Islamabad so far.

In a statement, the broadcaster categorically denied the presence of any Iranian delegation in Pakistan.

"No Iranian diplomatic delegation - be it a primary or secondary team, or an initial or follow-up mission - has travelled to Islamabad, Pakistan so far," the statement read.

However, reports by Al Arabiya, citing a senior Pakistani source, stated that delegations from the US and Iran are expected to arrive in the Pakistani capital simultaneously on Tuesday, signalling a potential breakthrough in regional diplomacy.

Trump accuses Iran of violating the ceasefire

US Presdient has also accused Iran of violating the ongoing two-week ceasefire deal between Washington and Tehran "numerous times" that was imposed in order to halt the over-a-month-long period of hostilities in West Asia, amid negotiations to find a complete solution hangs in balance as the deadline for the fragile truce approaches.

In a post on Truth Social, the US President stated, "Iran has violated the Cease Fire numerous times!"

The remarks come amid heightened tensions between Washington and Tehran, with the two-week ceasefire agreement set to expire on April 22, raising concerns over a possible escalation of conflict in the region.

Trump’s fiery Truth Social ahead of talks

Trump has utilised his Truth Social platform to defend the conflict, publishing four posts within a 50-minute window on Monday.

During this period, he reiterated threats to target Iranian power plants if a deal is not reached. He also touted the impact of Operation Midnight Hammer, describing it as the "complete and total obliteration of the nuclear dust sites in Iran."

Despite the escalating tension and Trump's hints that the current ceasefire may not be extended, there are signs of potential diplomatic movement.



(with inputs form agencies)