Summary Donald Trump intensifies warnings against Iran as US representatives head to Islamabad for talks amid Strait of Hormuz tensions and heightened security in Pakistan.
WASHINGTON/ISLAMABAD (Dunya News) – US President Donald Trump has issued a strongly worded statement accusing Iran of violating a ceasefire agreement by opening fire in the Strait of Hormuz, while confirming that American representatives are en route to Islamabad for fresh negotiations with Tehran.
In remarks posted on Truth Social, Trump claimed Iranian forces fired multiple rounds in the vital shipping corridor, describing the move as a “total violation” of agreed terms. According to his statement, some of the reported fire was directed towards a French vessel and a British freighter, raising concerns over maritime security in one of the world’s most critical energy routes.
The US president also reiterated that Washington had already imposed a blockade in the region, asserting that Iran’s own actions were effectively reinforcing restrictions on the passage. He claimed that the closure of the route was costing Iran an estimated $500 million per day, while suggesting that the United States faced minimal economic impact due to diversions of shipping routes towards domestic ports, including those in Texas, Louisiana and Alaska.
Trump’s remarks included a direct warning to Tehran, stating that failure to accept a proposed agreement could lead to sweeping US military action targeting infrastructure across Iran, including power plants and bridges.
Islamabad talks
Amid the escalating rhetoric, Islamabad has emerged as a key venue for diplomatic engagement between Washington and Tehran. Pakistani authorities have heightened security measures in the federal capital, with the Red Zone sealed off to traffic in preparation for visiting delegations.
An advance team from the United States has already arrived in the city ahead of a potential second round of talks. Trump himself stated that his representatives would reach Islamabad by Sunday evening, signalling urgency in restarting negotiations.
The development follows an earlier round of high-level discussions held in the Pakistani capital last weekend. Those talks, described as the most significant engagement between the United States and Iran since the 1979 Islamic Revolution, ended without a formal agreement.
Despite the lack of a breakthrough, officials indicated that dialogue remains ongoing, with both sides exploring a framework that could guide future negotiations.
Iran cautious on next steps
Iranian officials, however, have struck a more measured tone regarding the timeline for further talks. Speaking at the Antalya Diplomacy Forum in Turkey, Deputy Foreign Minister Saeed Khatibzadeh said no date had been set for the next round of negotiations.
He emphasised that discussions would only proceed once a “framework of understanding” is agreed upon, cautioning against entering talks that could fail or escalate tensions further. Khatibzadeh noted that while “significant progress” had been made during previous engagements, disagreements over US demands related to Iran’s nuclear programme had prevented a deal.
The Iranian official also rejected any notion that Tehran would accept conditions outside established international law, stating that commitments would remain aligned with global regulations.
On the issue of the Strait of Hormuz, Khatibzadeh maintained that Iran had allowed safe passage for commercial vessels in line with a previously agreed truce. He accused the United States of undermining the arrangement by introducing restrictions that excluded Iranian vessels, warning that any breach of ceasefire terms could trigger repercussions.
