US President Donald Trump has warned that American warships are being reloaded with weaponry and could be used to strike Iran if Saturday’s talks in Islamabad fail to produce an agreement.
The warning came as Pakistan’s capital came under strict lockdown ahead of what officials have described as historic negotiations between Iran and the US. The talks have raised hopes of ending a war that has caused devastation across the Middle East, but the ceasefire framework remained under heavy strain as the date approached.
According to the latest developments, the US-Iran ceasefire appeared increasingly fragile. Disputes over the terms of the negotiations continued, while Israel’s bombardment of Lebanon also added to the tension surrounding the wider regional conflict.
Pakistani officials said the planned peace talks would still go ahead over the weekend. Islamabad is preparing to host the discussions despite the security restrictions and the political uncertainty around whether the negotiations can deliver any breakthrough.
The talks are being watched closely because of their potential to shift the direction of the conflict. If they fail, Trump has indicated that the US could move back toward military action. His comments underscored the pressure on the negotiators as they head into a meeting seen by both sides as pivotal.
Elsewhere, US Vice President JD Vance warned Iran not to try to “play” the US in the peace talks. The remarks added to the hardline tone coming from Washington as the diplomatic effort continued.
In Israel, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said there was no ceasefire in Lebanon, even as Israel launched fresh strikes. That position further complicated the already unstable regional picture and highlighted the continuing violence on multiple fronts.
With Islamabad under lockdown and the talks set to continue over the weekend, the next round of negotiations will be closely watched for signs of whether a deal is possible or whether the standoff will deepen further.
