World3 min(s) read
Published 10:12 20 Apr 2026 GMT
Iran has reportedly decided it has “no plans to participate” in further peace talks with the US after Donald Trump issued a stark warning about the country’s future if a deal is not reached. The comments come as tensions continue to rise following a fragile two-week ceasefire that is set to expire on Tuesday.
Negotiations between the two nations recently wrapped in Pakistan without any agreement, despite efforts led by US Vice President JD Vance. The talks were intended to ease tensions and allow key routes like the Strait of Hormuz to reopen as normal, but the situation has instead escalated.
Iran has since accused the US of violating the ceasefire after Trump revealed that an Iranian cargo ship attempting to pass through a US blockade had been seized. “We have full custody of their ship, and are seeing what’s on board,” Trump wrote on social media per The Guardian, setting the tone for a series of increasingly aggressive statements.
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Trump did not hold back in a follow-up post, making clear what could happen if Iran refuses the proposed agreement. Per The Independent, he wrote: "We’re offering a very fair and reasonable DEAL, and I hope they take it because, if they don’t, the United States is going to knock out every single Power Plant, and every single Bridge, in Iran.
"NO MORE MR. NICE GUY!"
He later doubled down, telling Fox News Chief Foreign Correspondent Trey Yingst "If they don't sign this deal, the whole country is going to get blown up," while reiterating earlier threats targeting Iran’s infrastructure.
Iran’s response has been swift and firm, with officials warning of retaliation over the seized vessel in the Strait of Hormuz. An Iranian military spokesperson told state media via The Guardian: "We warn that the armed forces of the Islamic Republic of Iran will soon respond and retaliate against this armed piracy by the US military."
The spokesperson also confirmed that Iran has “currently no plans to participate in the next round” of negotiations, effectively pulling out of the upcoming talks scheduled in Pakistan.
According to Iran’s IRNA news agency, the decision stems from what it described as “Washington’s excessive demands, unrealistic expectations, constant shifts in stance, repeated contradictions, and the continuing naval blockade, which it considers a breach of the ceasefire.”
Despite Iran’s stance, US officials are still expected to head to Pakistan for further discussions. Special envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner are set to be involved, although Trump confirmed that Vance will not attend due to “security reasons.”
With the ceasefire deadline approaching and both sides trading threats, the chances of a peaceful resolution appear increasingly uncertain.
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