President Donald Trump and his administration are considering renewed negotiations with Iran after weekend talks failed to produce an agreement to end the United States and Israeli war against Iran, with officials open to resuming in-person talks if Tehran meets Washington’s demands, sources told CNN.
Pakistan has proposed hosting another round of talks in Islamabad, while Turkey is also working with intermediaries to bridge differences.
A second meeting could take place before the cease-fire expires on April 21, or the truce may be extended.
The Trump administration has also escalated pressure by imposing a naval blockade on vessels moving to and from Iranian ports via the Strait of Hormuz. “They’d like to make a deal very badly,” Trump told reporters at the White House on Monday afternoon.
The President said Iran had called the U.S. that morning.
White House spokesperson Olivia Wales said, “After 21 hours of negotiations, the Iranians chose the pursuit of a nuclear weapon over peace.
The President has already ordered a naval blockade on the Strait of Hormuz, ending the Iranian extortion, and wisely keeps all additional options on the table,” adding, “Anyone who thinks that they know what President Trump will do next is purely speculating,” Wales added.
Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps warned it would treat any U.S. military movement in the Strait as a cease-fire violation.
Trump also warned on Truth Social that if Iranian ships “come anywhere close to our BLOCKADE, they will be immediately ELIMINATED, using the same system of kill that we use against the drug dealers on boats at Sea”.
The disruption has driven global oil and gas prices higher, with supply bottlenecks raising fears of broader food and goods shortages.
The U.K. has said it will not join the blockade.
On diplomacy, Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said the sides were “inches away” from a deal before tensions escalated.
Nuclear disagreement remains central, with the U.S. demanding Iran halt enrichment for up to 20 years and dismantle key facilities, while Iran countered with a shorter suspension proposal.
Vice President J.D. Vance said Iranian negotiators “moved in our direction, … but they didn’t move far enough.” He added, “There really is, I think, a grand deal to be had here, but it’s up to the Iranians, I think, to take the next step.”
