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“In the past two weeks, we have prepared to reveal new cards on the battlefield,” Ghalibaf said. “We do not accept negotiations under the shadow of threats.”
As the clock ticks down, Trump made it clear that he has little interest in extending the current agreement. He confirmed that the ceasefire is set to expire “Wednesday evening Washington time,” and suggested that the next phase could involve renewed military action if diplomacy fails to deliver results.
The former president did not mince words when discussing the potential outcome. “If there’s no deal, I would certainly expect” fighting to resume, he said. He went even further, outlining a hardline stance that signals readiness for escalation. “I expect to be bombing because I think that’s a better attitude to go in with. But we’re ready to go. I mean, the military is raring to go.”
Despite the tough talk, Trump also hinted that negotiations are not completely off the table. He suggested that Iran may ultimately be forced to come to terms with Washington’s demands, portraying the U.S. position as one of overwhelming strength.
“I think they have no choice,” Trump said.
He then pointed to what he described as significant U.S. successes in weakening Iran’s military and leadership structure. “We’ve taken out their navy, we’ve taken out their air force, we’ve taken out their leaders,” he said.
Trump acknowledged that removing key figures from power has created complications, but he argued that it has also opened the door to more pragmatic leadership inside Iran. “We’ve taken out their leaders, frankly, which does complicate things in one way, but these leaders are much more rational,” he said. “It is regime change, no matter what you want to call it, which is not something I said I was going to do, but I’ve done it indirectly.”
Meanwhile, Iran’s diplomatic signals suggest little appetite for compromise. Esmaeil Baqaei dismissed the idea of renewed talks under U.S. pressure, particularly in proposed negotiations in Islamabad.
“If the U.S. sends a team to Islamabad, that is a matter that concerns them,” Baqaei said.
He reinforced Tehran’s firm stance, emphasizing that Iran will not be dictated to when it comes to defending its national interests. “The Islamic Republic of Iran does not accept any deadlines or ultimatums to safeguard its national interests. We have clearly stated our red lines from the beginning, and we will not change our principled positions,” he continued.
With both sides digging in and rhetoric intensifying, the situation appears increasingly volatile. The coming days could determine whether diplomacy has any chance of survival—or whether the region is headed back toward open conflict.
