File photo: US President Donald Trump (Photo credit: AP)
US President Donald Trump has warned of a massive escalation in the Iran conflict, saying “a lot of bombs will start going off” if the fragile ceasefire ends without a deal, as uncertainty looms over fresh peace talks.Speaking to PBS News in a phone call on Monday, Trump made clear that military action could resume immediately if talks fail. When asked about the consequences of the ceasefire ending, he said, “Then a lot of bombs start exploding.”The warning comes as a US delegation prepares to visit Islamabad for another round of talks aimed at ending the war, although it is unclear whether Iran will participate.
Negotiations uncertain amid rising tension
Trump said Iran “should have been there” for talks but added, “We’ll see if it’s there or not. If they’re not there, that’s OK too,” according to PBS News.At the core of Washington’s demands is a firm red line, “No nuclear weapons. Very simple. Iran cannot have a nuclear weapon,” Trump said.However, Tehran has backed down from talks under pressure. Iran’s top negotiator Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf signaled continued resistance, saying, “We do not accept negotiations under the shadow of threats.”
Military threats and oil pressure strategy
Trump has escalated his rhetoric in recent days and warned of possible attacks on Iranian infrastructure if a deal is not reached. The US has maintained a naval blockade of Iranian ports and demanded the full reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, a vital global oil route.The ongoing disruption has increased volatility in energy markets and added urgency to diplomatic efforts.The two-week ceasefire agreed earlier this month is soon set to expire, with Trump indicating he is “highly unlikely” to extend it. The conflict has already caused large numbers of casualties across the region and heightened global economic concerns.Despite the tensions, Trump expressed confidence in his negotiating team, calling it “the A-team”, and suggested that oil prices could fall sharply if a deal was reached.