American officials are preparing to return to Pakistan for another round of negotiations as the ceasefire in the conflict between the United States and Iran approaches its deadline and tensions rise in the Strait of Hormuz.
President Trump said Sunday that a U.S. delegation will arrive in Islamabad by Monday evening to begin a second set of talks, with Pakistan serving as the mediator. According to NBC News, the negotiations come as both sides face increasing pressure ahead of the ceasefire’s scheduled expiration.
In a post on Truth Social, President Trump criticized Iran after its forces fired on ships in the Strait of Hormuz on Saturday, calling the action a clear violation of the ceasefire agreement. The incident occurred after Iran had previously reversed its decision to reopen the waterway to commercial shipping.
Trump said the United States has presented what he described as a fair proposal to resolve the situation. He warned that if Iran refuses the offer, the U.S. could take major military action targeting critical infrastructure in the country, including power plants and bridges. He also stated that it is time to end what he called Iran’s “killing machine.”
According to the New York Times, U.S. negotiators are demanding that Iran halt uranium enrichment and remove its stockpiles of highly enriched uranium as part of any agreement.
Iran, meanwhile, has indicated that its military is ready to resume combat operations if the negotiations fail. Both countries are currently maintaining opposing naval blockades in the region, increasing the risk of further confrontation.
The ceasefire is set to expire on Wednesday. Complicating the negotiations is a widening divide within Iran’s leadership, where diplomats pursuing talks are facing pressure from hard-line factions.