By Ginika Igboke
President Donald Trump said Friday that Iran has very few negotiating options as talks between Tehran and Washington are set to take place in Pakistan over the weekend, while a two-week ceasefire between both sides continues to hold.
In a post on Truth Social, Trump stated that Iran has “no cards” beyond attempting to disrupt commercial shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, a vital waterway that typically carries about one-fifth of the world’s oil. The near shutdown of the strait since Feb. 28 has driven up global energy prices and raised concerns about economic stability.
“The Iranians don’t seem to realize they have no cards, other than a short-term extortion of the world by using international waterways. The only reason they are alive today is to negotiate!” Trump wrote.
The disruption has had ripple effects in the United States. Consumer prices rose 3.3 percent in March compared to a year earlier, according to the Department of Labor. Meanwhile, the American Automobile Association reported that the average price of gasoline climbed to $4.15 per gallon nationwide, up from $2.98 before the conflict began.
Trump’s remarks came as Vice President JD Vance traveled to Islamabad for negotiations aimed at reaching a lasting resolution. Iran has not yet announced its delegation for the talks.
Before departing, Vance urged Iran to negotiate in good faith, warning that any attempt to mislead U.S. negotiators would be met with resistance. Despite the caution, he expressed optimism that the discussions could be productive.
Iran Sets Conditions as Regional Tensions Persist
Some Iranian officials have outlined conditions ahead of the talks. Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf stated that two previously agreed-upon measures—a ceasefire in Lebanon and the release of frozen Iranian assets—must be implemented before negotiations proceed.
Tensions in the region remain high despite the ceasefire. Israel and the Hezbollah group have continued exchanging strikes, with Israel reporting a rapid series of attacks in southern Lebanon. Iranian officials insist that any broader ceasefire should include the Hezbollah–Israel conflict, a position Israel has rejected.
Hezbollah leader Naim Qassem said the group would continue its operations against Israel and urged Lebanese leaders not to concede to Israeli demands.
Trump said he had spoken with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, encouraging a reduction in military activity ahead of the talks.
“I spoke with Bibi and he’s going to low-key it. I just think we have to be a little more restrained,” Trump said in an interview.
Netanyahu, however, maintained that no ceasefire exists in Lebanon and stated that Israel would continue operations against Iran-backed Hezbollah forces until security is restored in northern Israel. He added that he has authorized direct negotiations with Lebanon aimed at disarming Hezbollah as soon as possible.
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