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Iran has threatened to reveal “new cards” if the cease-fire isn’t extended and conflict restarts, while President Trump warned “lots of bombs” will start going off if there’s no peace deal.
Mohammed-Bagher Ghalibaf, the Islamic Republic’s parliamentary speaker, said Monday the country has “prepared” during the truce – before lashing out at Trump, who renewed his threat to blitz Iranian infrastructure if talks are unsuccessful.
“Trump, by imposing a siege and violating the ceasefire, seeks to turn this negotiating table— in his own imagination— into a table of surrender or to justify renewed warmongering,” Ghalibaf, who spearheaded the Iranian delegation in Islamabad last week, wrote on X.
“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.”
Iran hasn’t publicly confirmed if it is sending a team of negotiators to Islamabad, Pakistan, for peace talks with the US – but has reportedly told regional mediators that a delegation will be heading to the Pakistani capital, the Wall Street Journal reported.
Abbas Araghchi, Iran’s foreign minister, blasted Washington on calls with his Pakistani and Russian counterparts after US forces seized the cargo vessel Touska.
Iran’s semi-official Tasnim News Agency reported a delegation from Tehran would only attend talks if the US met certain preconditions.
But, the clock is ticking, with President Trump telling Bloomberg the cease-fire will end “Wednesday evening Washington time.”
Trump said it’s “highly unlikely” the cease-fire will be extended if there’s no agreement.
The commander-in-chief told PBS Monday “Then lots of bombs start going off” in response to a question asking about the next steps in a no-deal scenario.
Trump reiterated that Iran cannot have the capability to develop a nuclear weapon.
“No nuclear weapons. Very simple,” he said.
But, despite the ticking clock, Trump told The Post he “will not be rushed” into ending the conflict.
“I have only been in this for five weeks. I will not be rushed,” he said.
The war is now in its 53rd day despite Trump previously claiming he expected the operation would last “four weeks or so,” one day after the US-Israel assault began on Feb. 28.
The War Powers Resolution of 1973, which the White House argues is unconstitutional, says the president must receive congressional approval for conflicts lasting longer than 60 days.
Last week, the House of Representatives defeated a resolution 213-214 requiring Trump to withdraw forces from the war unless Congress backs military action.
Kentucky lawmaker Thomas Massie was the only GOP politician to cross party lines and vote for the measure.
English (US)