U.S. Vice President J.D. Vance. File
| Photo Credit:
AP
President Donald Trump offered mixed messages on Monday (April 20, 2026) about the path ahead for the U.S. war against Iran, declaring that he was in no rush to end the conflict while also expressing confidence that further negotiations with Tehran will soon take place in Pakistan.
With the 14-day ceasefire to expire on Wednesday (April 22, 2026), Mr. Trump whipsawed in telephone interviews and social media posts between measured optimism that a deal could soon be reached and a warning that “lots of bombs” will “start going off” if there’s no agreement before the ceasefire deadline.
Tehran said on Monday (April 20, 2026) it had yet to decide on joining a new round of peace talks with the United States in Pakistan, citing “bad faith” and “historical mistrust”,
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Mr. Trump indicated that he still expects to dispatch his negotiating team, led by Vice President J.D. Vance, to Pakistan’s capital of Islamabad for a second round of talks, even as Iran insisted it would not take part until Mr. Trump dialled back his demands.
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Iran’s chief negotiator and parliament speaker, Mohammed Bagher Qalibaf, accused the United States of wanting Iran to surrender and added that on the contrary, Iran has been preparing “to reveal new cards on the battlefield.” “We do not accept negotiations under the shadow of threats,” Qalibaf wrote in a post on X early Tuesday.