Iranian media has warned Donald Trump the country has prepared “new surprises” for a potential new phase of conflict as JD Vance-led peace talks appeared on the verge of collapse. Iranian state-linked media outlet Tasnim News Agency issued a chilling warning on social media.
It said: “With the ceasefire deadline approaching and US maritime blockades blocking renewed negotiations, Iran has fully prepared for the possible resumption of war, readying new surprises for a potential new phase of conflict.” With the two-week ceasefire due to expire in the early hours of Wednesday morning, hopes of a second round of negotiations in Islamabad have been thrown into doubt after the United States seized an Iranian-flagged cargo ship in the Gulf of Oman. Iranian officials said the move derailed any immediate chance of diplomacy. Iranian Foreign Minister, Seyed Abbas Araghchi, said that blockading Iranian ports is an “act of war and thus a violation of the ceasefire”. Adding that “Striking a commercial vessel and taking its crew hostage is an even greater violation.”
Despite the US Vice President being expected to lead a US delegation at upcoming negotiations with Iran in Pakistan, The Israel Times reported on Tuesday evening that he was still in Washington to participate in meetings.
According to its report, a White House official said: “Additional policy meetings are taking place at the White House in which the vice president will participate.”
The “new surprises” threat came as Mr Trump insisted he remained optimistic about the prospect of a deal.
Speaking on Tuesday morning, the US President said: “We’re going to end up with a great deal.” He also claimed Iran had “no choice” but to send a delegation to Pakistan.
However, the US President also warned he was prepared to resume bombing if the talks failed.
Iran’s top negotiator, Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, insisted on Monday that Tehran would not negotiate “under the shadow of threat” and warned the country had prepared “new cards on the battlefield” if the war resumes.
Pakistan’s information minister Attaullah Tarar admitted on social media that Tehran had still not confirmed whether it would attend.
He wrote: “Formal response from Iranian side about confirmation of delegation to attend Islamabad Peace Talks is still awaited.”
Mr Tarar added: “Pakistan as the mediator is in constant touch with Iranians and pursuing the path of diplomacy and dialogue.”
He warned that “Ceasefire ends at 4:50 am PST, 22 April” and said a decision from Iran before the deadline was “critical”.
The minister also said: “Pakistan has made sincere efforts to convince the Iranian leadership to participate in the second round of talks and these efforts continue.”
Iran has demanded the immediate release of the seized cargo ship and vowed retaliation, while the Pentagon confirmed American forces boarded another sanctioned tanker overnight.
The latest developments underline how fragile the ceasefire remains, with the future of any peace talks now hanging in the balance.
