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'Lots of bombs if talks fail': Trumps warning as Iran ceasefire nears end

by Trans World Features | @twfindia 20 Apr 2026, 12:01 pm

US President Donald Trump has issued a stark warning ahead of the April 22 deadline for the ceasefire with Iran, saying that if talks fail, “lots of bombs start going off.”

The temporary truce, which paused direct hostilities, now hangs in the balance as both sides remain locked in a tense standoff.

"Iran decided to fire bullets yesterday in the Strait of Hormuz — A Total Violation of our Ceasefire Agreement! We’re offering a very fair and reasonable deal, and I hope they take it because, if they don’t, the United States is going to knock out every single Power Plant, and every single Bridge, in Iran," he wrote.

Negotiations are expected to resume in Islamabad, but uncertainty clouds Iran’s participation. Trump admitted he is unsure whether Tehran will attend, even as the US prepares to move forward regardless.

The talks are being seen as a critical opportunity to prevent escalation, though expectations remain low after earlier setbacks.

Nuclear issue at the core

At the center of the crisis is Washington’s firm stance that Iran must not develop nuclear weapons.

Trump reiterated this as a non-negotiable demand, while Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian accused the US of making excessive and contradictory demands.

He emphasized that longstanding mistrust continues to shape Iran’s position, warning that the country would not yield under pressure.

Diplomatic confusion and mixed signals

The US delegation—expected to include Vice President JD Vance, adviser Jared Kushner, and envoy Steve Witkoff—has been at the center of confusion, with conflicting statements about travel plans adding to the uncertainty.

Despite this, Trump expressed confidence in his team and left open the possibility of direct talks with Iranian leaders.

Fragile truce, rising risks

The urgency is heightened by the collapse of the first round of talks in Islamabad, where over 21 hours of negotiations failed to produce a breakthrough.

Iran has since signaled reluctance to join the next round, citing US demands and ongoing military pressure, including tensions around the Strait of Hormuz.

While the ceasefire has provided a brief pause, the risk of renewed conflict is growing, with diplomacy struggling to keep pace.