US President Donald Trump said he does not want to extend a rapidly expiring ceasefire in the US-Israeli war on Iran, warning the military is “raring to go” as Washington escalates pressure with the seizure of an Iranian oil tanker at sea.
The comments came hours after US forces boarded the Tifani tanker in international waters, marking a major escalation in efforts to disrupt Iran’s oil exports. The vessel, carrying around 2 million barrels of crude and bound for Singapore, was seized “without incident,” according to US Central Command.
Trump signaled a hardline stance as the ceasefire deadline looms, saying he expects military action if talks fail.
“I don’t want to extend it… I expect to be bombing,” he said, adding that US forces are ready for escalation.
Tehran responded with a warning, saying any renewed attack would trigger a stronger retaliation. Iranian officials also indicated they are still weighing whether to attend planned talks in Pakistan, though no final decision has been made.
The seizure of the tanker risks derailing already fragile diplomacy. Iran has refused to negotiate while a US blockade of its ports remains in place, and has tightened its grip on the Strait of Hormuz — a critical global النفط chokepoint that normally handles around 20 million barrels per day.
Talks are tentatively expected in Islamabad, with US Vice President JD Vance reportedly set to attend. Pakistani authorities have deployed nearly 20,000 security personnel ahead of the potential مذاکرات.
Despite rising tensions, markets showed cautious optimism, with oil prices easing slightly and stocks rebounding on hopes that negotiations could still proceed.
At the core of the dispute remains Iran’s nuclear programme. Washington is demanding Tehran abandon its highly enriched uranium stockpile, while Iran is seeking sanctions relief without dismantling its capabilities.
With the ceasefire clock ticking down, the situation is entering a critical phase where diplomacy and military escalation are now on a direct collision course.