US and Iran warn of war readiness as ceasefire deadline approaches
via Punch Nigeria4 min read
The United States and Iran have both declared their readiness for war as a ceasefire approaches its deadline, casting uncertainty over the resumption of talks that President Donald Trump had announced. While the White House indicated Vice President JD Vance was prepared to return to Islamabad for a second round of negotiations, Tehran's government has not confirmed its participation. Iran accused the US of violating the truce through its blockade of Iranian ports and the seizure of a ship. Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, Iran's parliament speaker, stated that Iran would not accept negotiations under threat and had been preparing for new battlefield strategies. Iran's Revolutionary Guards warned against vessels attempting to pass through the Strait of Hormuz without permission. Trump, in turn, accused Tehran of truce violations by harassing vessels in the Strait, a critical passage for global oil. Trump also maintained that the blockade was severely impacting Iran and would continue until a deal was reached regarding Iran's nuclear program. Despite Trump's assertion that Iran was expected at the talks, Iran's foreign ministry stated that its enriched uranium stockpile would not be transferred and that the option was never discussed with US negotiators. Separately, a ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon, including Hezbollah, was announced, with a second round of talks scheduled in Washington. However, sporadic violence continued, and the UN Security Council condemned the killing of a
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