President Donald Trump has threatened to resume large-scale attacks on Iran if its leaders refuse to reach a negotiated settlement, even as Vice President JD Vance opened talks with Iranian officials in Pakistan. Trump insisted that the United States is negotiating from a position of military strength and warned Tehran to comply quickly or face escalation. Throughout the talks, he posted a stream of messages criticizing Iran, European nations, and the news media, while asserting that Washington has already prevailed on the battlefield.

Despite his claims of victory, Trump acknowledged ongoing disruptions to energy shipments through the Strait of Hormuz, pointing to empty oil tankers heading toward the United States. He also said he was monitoring fertilizer prices at home, signaling concern about the conflict’s economic impact on American farmers. Critics argue that the administration has been drawn into an unnecessary war with limited public support and question the president’s shifting tone between threats and assurances.

For Vance, the Pakistan mission represents a major political test. A breakthrough that stabilizes the ceasefire and secures maritime routes could elevate his national standing. However, a collapse in talks or renewed fighting could leave him politically exposed, underscoring the high stakes of diplomacy unfolding alongside Trump’s confrontational rhetoric.