US Vice President JD Vance arrives in Islamabad for crucial talks as Donald Trump signals readiness for force if negotiations with Iran collapse.
Trump Issues Fresh Military Warning Ahead Of Iran Talks
**United States President Donald Trump on Friday warned of renewed military action against Iran if upcoming peace negotiations in Islamabad fail, stating that American warships are being equipped with advanced ammunition in preparation.
Speaking to New York Post, Trump said the next 24 hours would be decisive in determining whether diplomacy succeeds or military action becomes inevitable.
“We’re going to find out in about 24 hours. We’re going to know soon,” he said during a phone interview.
US Delegation Heads To Islamabad For High-Stakes Talks
Trump’s comments came shortly after US Vice President JD Vance departed for Islamabad aboard Air Force Two to participate in negotiations aimed at securing a long-term agreement following a two-week ceasefire reached earlier this week.
He is expected to be joined by special envoy Steve Witkoff and senior adviser Jared Kushner for discussions with Iranian representatives.
Trump described the situation as a strategic reset, indicating the US is preparing for all possible outcomes.
“We have a reset going. We’re loading up the ships with the best ammunition, the best weapons ever made — even better than what we did previously and we blew them apart,” Trump said.
He added that US naval forces are being armed at a higher level than before and warned that those weapons would be used if diplomacy collapses.
“But we’re loading up the ships… at a higher level than we used to do a complete decimation. And if we don’t have a deal, we will be using them, and we will be using them very effectively,” he stated.
Trump Questions Iran’s Negotiating Position
Trump also expressed skepticism about Iran’s reliability in negotiations, suggesting inconsistencies between private assurances and public statements.
“You’re dealing against people that we don’t know whether or not they tell the truth,” he told the New York Post.
He claimed that Iranian officials had privately indicated willingness to abandon nuclear weapons, while publicly continuing to defend uranium enrichment.
“To our face, they’re getting rid of all nuclear weapons, everything’s gone. And then they go out to the press and say, ‘No, we’d like to enrich.’ So we’ll find out,” Trump added.
Iran Delegation Expected To Attend Islamabad Talks
Iran is expected to be represented in Islamabad by Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi and Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf.
Tehran has repeatedly insisted on maintaining its right to uranium enrichment as part of its national nuclear programme.
Meanwhile, Ghalibaf stated in a post on X that two key preconditions must be met before negotiations progress:
- A ceasefire in Lebanon
- The release of Iran’s frozen overseas assets
These demands highlight the continuing gap between Washington’s expectations and Tehran’s conditions.
Key Issues Likely To Dominate Negotiations
The upcoming talks are expected to focus on several major points of contention between the United States and Iran.
Among Washington’s primary demands:
- Iran handing over an estimated 1,000 pounds of enriched uranium
- Reopening the vital Strait of Hormuz to global shipping
- Limiting Iran’s ballistic missile programme
- Reducing Tehran’s regional influence
Trump has repeatedly stressed that ensuring uninterrupted shipping through the Strait of Hormuz — a critical global oil route — is central to any agreement.
Meanwhile, Iran is expected to push for:
- Relief from US sanctions
- Recognition of its nuclear rights
- Guarantees tied to regional security arrangements
High Stakes As Ceasefire Window Narrows
The current diplomatic push follows a fragile two-week ceasefire reached earlier this week, aimed at halting escalating hostilities and creating space for negotiations.
With tensions still high and military readiness increasing, the outcome of the Islamabad talks could determine whether the region moves toward stability or faces renewed conflict.
Trump’s latest warning underscores the urgency surrounding the negotiations, with both sides preparing for either compromise or confrontation in the days ahead.