U.S. President Donald Trump said on the 21st (local time), ahead of a second end-of-war negotiation with Iran, that "in the end, we will make a great deal." However, he hinted at the possibility of resuming strikes against Iran if the truce ends without an agreement.
Trump said in a phone interview with CNBC the same day, "In my view, they have no other option," adding the comment.
Trump said Iran has no choice but to send a negotiating team and that a second end-of-war negotiation will come together.
He added, "I think we are in a very advantageous negotiating position to accomplish what other U.S. presidents should have done over the past 47 years."
On the possibility of extending the truce with Iran, Trump drew a line, saying, "We don't have much time left," indicating he had no intention to extend it.
Trump also said that if an end-of-war agreement is not reached by the evening of the 22nd, bombing will resume. He said he "expects" the bombing to resume and that "the U.S. military is ready to sortie."
With the truce deadline approaching, the United States and Iran are set to attempt a second end-of-war negotiation in Islamabad, Pakistan, that day.
From the United States, a delegation led by Vice President JD Vance will join the talks. On the Iranian side, Parliament Speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf is expected to lead the delegation.
The two countries failed to find common ground during the first talks on the 11th–12th and have since continued behind-the-scenes discussions through Pakistan.