During a recent interview with CNBC, the U.S. president emphasized that the Tehran regime is in a critical situation and, from his perspective, "they have no other option" but to accept Washington's conditions to end hostilities.
This public statement comes on the eve of a new high-level diplomatic mission led by Vice President JD Vance, who will lead a delegation to Islamabad, Pakistan. The primary objective is to resume international talks that concluded on April 11 and 12 without any progress. The Trump administration's demands are clear: Iran must completely abandon all its uranium reserves and cease its attempts to control the Strait of Hormuz, a strategic maritime route for global commodity trade.
Military pressure has been constant since the United States and Israel began a bombing campaign on February 28, which only halted on April 8 due to a temporary ceasefire. However, the White House has warned that this truce expires Wednesday night, and Trump has avoided confirming whether he is willing to extend it if the new mediation in Pakistan fails.
The president's tone has hardened regarding possible attacks on power plants and bridges in Iranian territory, a measure that several analysts have denounced as potential war crimes. "It's not my choice, but it will also hurt them," Trump stated. This tension is compounded by the interception of a vessel carrying what the president described as a "gift" from China to Iran. Trump expressed disappointment with President Xi Jinping, stating that the shipment "was not very nice" and goes against Beijing's promises not to supply weaponry to its Iranian allies.