By Ginika Igboke
U.S. President Donald Trump said on April 20 that he believes Iran will ultimately return to negotiations, even as Tehran signals it will not participate under current conditions, including a U.S. naval blockade of its ports.
“Well, they’re going to negotiate. And if they don’t, they’re going to see problems like they have never seen before,” Trump said during an interview with The John Fredericks Radio Show.
While he did not outline specific اقدامات Washington might take if Iran refuses to engage, Trump emphasized that any agreement must permanently prevent Iran from obtaining nuclear weapons.
“They will build their country back up, but they will not have a nuclear weapon,” he said. “We can’t allow that to happen.”
Trump Promotes New Deal Over 2015 Nuclear Agreement
In a post on Truth Social, Trump said the deal currently being negotiated would be “far better” than the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), the 2015 nuclear agreement brokered during the Obama administration.
Trump has long criticized the JCPOA, calling it “one of the worst deals ever made” for U.S. security. He argued that ending the agreement during his first term prevented Iran from advancing toward nuclear weapons capability.
“If I did not terminate that ‘Deal,’ nuclear weapons would have been used on Israel, and all over the Middle East,” he said.
He added in a follow-up post that he expects a new agreement with Iran could be reached “relatively quickly.”
Iran Rejects Talks Under Pressure
Iranian officials have taken a different stance, insisting they will not negotiate while facing military threats or economic pressure.
Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf said Tehran would not engage with Washington under such conditions, accusing the United States of violating the ceasefire by imposing a naval blockade.
He also warned that Iran is preparing to escalate if necessary, stating that the country is ready to “reveal new cards on the battlefield.”
Ceasefire Violations and Strait of Hormuz Tensions
Both sides have accused each other of breaching the temporary ceasefire.
Trump claimed Iran violated the agreement by firing at commercial vessels in the Strait of Hormuz, including a French ship and a British freighter. The strategic waterway remains a major نقطة توتر, given its importance to global oil shipments.
Iran initially said it would reopen the strait during a separate 10-day ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon, but later reinstated strict military oversight in response to the U.S. naval blockade.
Diplomatic Efforts Continue in Pakistan
Despite the tensions, U.S. officials are moving forward with plans for another round of talks in Pakistan.
The American delegation is expected to include Vice President JD Vance, Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff, and senior adviser Jared Kushner.
The two sides previously met in Pakistan on April 12, but those discussions ended without an agreement.
Ceasefire Nears Expiration
The United States and Iran entered a two-week ceasefire on April 8, which is set to expire on April 21.
Following the collapse of initial talks, Washington imposed a naval blockade on Iranian ports beginning April 13, a move that has since become a central obstacle in ongoing diplomatic efforts.
With both sides holding firm on key demands and the ceasefire deadline approaching, the situation remains uncertain as negotiations hang in the balance.