US Sends Negotiators to Pakistan for New Iran Talks

U.S. President Donald Trump announced Sunday that American negotiators will travel to Islamabad, Pakistan, on Monday for another round of talks with Iran aimed at ending the ongoing U.S.-Israel military operations against Tehran. Trump simultaneously accused Iran of violating a two-week ceasefire agreement by firing bullets in the Strait of Hormuz on Saturday, with some shots reportedly aimed at a French vessel and a British freighter. The ceasefire was scheduled to end Wednesday. Trump threatened catastrophic consequences if Iran does not accept Washington's proposed deal, warning that the United States will destroy every single power plant and bridge in Iran. Iran, which had previously announced it would allow shipping through the strategic Strait of Hormuz, reversed course Saturday, closing the waterway again and accusing Washington of violating the ceasefire by maintaining its own blockade of Iranian ports. Despite the escalating tensions, Trump expressed optimism about reaching a peace agreement. "It will happen. One way or another. The nice way or the hard way," he stated. Iran's chief negotiator, Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf, acknowledged that recent talks with the United States showed some progress and that Trump cited "very good conversations" with Tehran, but both sides remain far apart on the two main sticking points: Iran's nuclear program and control of the Strait of Hormuz. The upcoming negotiations represent the second round of in-person talks between the two nations, with last weekend's Islamabad talks having ended without a deal despite being led by Vice President JD Vance. Trump criticized previous U.S. administrations for not taking stronger action against Iran over the past 47 years, framing the current negotiations as a potential resolution to what he called the "Iran Killing Machine." The talks are expected to resume Monday night in the Pakistani capital.