US President Donald Trump has warned that fresh strikes on Iran remain possible if weekend talks in Islamabad fail to produce an agreement, saying US warships are being reloaded with weaponry.
The comments came as Pakistan’s capital went into strict lockdown ahead of what officials are describing as high-stakes negotiations between Iran and the United States. The planned discussions have been framed as a potential route toward easing a conflict that has already devastated much of the Middle East.
According to the source report, Pakistani officials say the talks are still due to take place over the weekend despite growing uncertainty around the wider ceasefire arrangement and continuing tension over the terms being discussed.
Islamabad prepares for negotiations
Roads across Islamabad have been tightly controlled as the city gets ready to host what is being described as historic talks. The negotiations are seen as a make-or-break moment in efforts to end the fighting and reduce the risk of further regional escalation.
The meeting is taking place against a backdrop of rising pressure. Even as the US-Iran ceasefire appeared increasingly fragile, disputes continued over how the talks should proceed, adding to the sense that the diplomatic opening could still collapse.
Pressure from the wider conflict
At the same time, Israel has continued to bombard Lebanon, further complicating efforts to stabilise the region. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said there is no ceasefire in Lebanon, underscoring the extent to which hostilities remain active even as other diplomatic efforts move forward.
The continuing strikes have deepened doubts about whether the current moment can deliver a broader de-escalation. Instead of signalling an end to violence, the regional situation remains marked by military pressure, unresolved disputes and uncertainty over the next steps.
Trump’s warning adds another layer of urgency to the Islamabad talks. By saying that US warships are being rearmed for a possible strike, he has made clear that Washington is keeping military options on the table if diplomacy fails.
For now, Pakistani officials insist the negotiations will go ahead as planned. But with the ceasefire looking fragile, and with fighting continuing in Lebanon, the weekend talks are being viewed as a critical test of whether the US and Iran can move toward a deal that avoids further conflict.
The outcome in Islamabad could have consequences far beyond Pakistan’s capital. If the talks succeed, they may offer the clearest chance yet to ease tensions in a region already shaken by war. If they fail, the prospect of renewed strikes on Iran would raise fears of a wider escalation.
For residents in Islamabad and observers across the region, the weekend has begun under a cloud of uncertainty, with diplomacy and military threats advancing at the same time.
