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US President Donald Trump offered mixed messages about the path ahead for the US 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, Trump whipsawed in telephone interviews and social media posts between measured optimism that a deal could soon be reached and warning that "lots of bombs" will "start going off" if there's no agreement before the ceasefire deadline.
Trump indicated that he still expects to dispatch his negotiating team, led by Vice President JD Vance, to Pakistan's capital of Islamabad for a second round of talks, even as Iran insisted it would not take part until Trump dialed back his demands.
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."
Since the war started, at least 3,375 people have been killed in Iran, according to a new toll released in official Iranian media by Abbas Masjedi, the head of Iran's Legal Medicine Organization. He did not break down casualties among civilians and security forces, saying instead that 2,875 were male and 496 were female. Masjedi said 383 of the dead were children 18 years old and under.
(Source: AP)
Oil prices pulled back after a sharp rally, as uncertainty over Iran's participation in potential talks with the US tempered bullish momentum driven by supply fears. The market remains highly reactive to geopolitical headlines, oscillating between escalation risks and fragile diplomatic signals.
Historic diplomatic talks between Israel and Lebanon were set to resume on Thursday in Washington, officials from both countries and the US said. All three spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss the behind-the-scenes negotiations.
The Israeli and Lebanese ambassadors met last week for the first direct diplomatic talks in decades. Israel says the talks are aimed at disarming Hezbollah and reaching a peace agreement with Lebanon.
Iranian official Syed Abbas Araghchi warned on X that Tehran will not negotiate with the U.S. "under shadow of threats" and threatened to use new battlefield "cards" if talks fail.
US President Donald Trump says Iran’s leadership has sent hundreds of ships toward the U.S., mainly Texas, Louisiana, and Alaska, to get their oil, and sarcastically added "Thank you very much."
Donald Trump Truth Social
The US President lashed out at war critics at home who are urging him to wrap up the conflict that began more than seven weeks ago. "How bad is it that when you are in the middle of negotiations and you have got the Iranians in a perfect position, including being militarily defeated, and you have Democrats and some Republicans asking to settle it now?" Trump told the New York Post.
Iran may send Iranian Speaker Mohammad-Bagher Ghalibaf for talks as US, Iran signal readiness for talks, reports New York Times
🔴#BREAKING | Iran may send Iranian Speaker Mohammad-Bagher Ghalibaf for talks as US, Iran signal readiness for talks, reports New York Times
— NDTV (@ndtv) April 21, 2026
NDTV's @VishalV054 joins @divyawadhwa with more details pic.twitter.com/wr9RtgAIt0
"We do not accept negotiations under the shadow of threats,” Parliament speaker Mohammed Bagher Qalibaf wrote early Tuesday morning in Tehran in a social media post on X. He accused the United States of wanting Iran to surrender and said that on the contrary, Iran has been preparing “to reveal new cards on the battlefield."
ترامپ با اعمال محاصره و نقض آتشبس میخواهد تا به خیال خود این میز مذاکره را به میز تسلیم تبدیل کند یا جنگافروزی مجدد را موجّه سازد.
— محمدباقر قالیباف | MB Ghalibaf (@mb_ghalibaf) April 20, 2026
مذاکره زیر سایهٔ تهدید را نمیپذیریم و در دو هفتهٔ اخیر برای رو کردن کارتهای جدید در میدان نبرد آماده شدهایم.
US President Donald Trump says the US is winning the war against Iran "by a lot," citing its destroyed navy, grounded air force, missing defenses, regime change, and a blockade costing Iran $500M daily. He claims the media — NYT, WSJ, Washington Post — falsely portrays it as a loss and is "rooting for Iran," but insists victory is certain under his leadership.
Trump says Democrats are trying to undermine US leverage with Iran and rush a deal. He denies being under pressure, argues past wars took years while military action against Iran was faster, and claims only his administration can properly fix the 47-year "mess" left by others. He calls Democrats "traitors" for criticising his approach despite their past warnings about Iran.
Trump claims his new Iran deal will be "far better" than the Obama/Biden-era JCPOA, which he calls one of the worst deals for US security and a "guaranteed road to a nuclear weapon." He alleges the JCPOA gave Iran $1.7 billion in cash flown on a Boeing 757 plus "hundreds of billions" more, and says ending it prevented nuclear attacks on Israel, the Middle East, and U.S. bases.
US President Donald Trump whipsawed in telephone interviews and social media posts between measured optimism that a deal could soon be reached and warning that "lots of bombs" will "start going off" if there's no agreement before the ceasefire deadline.
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