US President Donald Trump said American representatives will travel to Islamabad for talks, warning that it is “time to end Iran’s killing machine” and threatening sweeping military action if Tehran refuses a deal.
Speaking in an interview with ABC, Trump said Washington had presented Iran with what he described as a “fair and acceptable offer,” adding that Tehran would face severe consequences if it did not agree.
“The era of the nice guy is over,” Trump said. “It will happen one way or another — the easy way or the hard way.”
He warned that the United States could “destroy all power stations and bridges” in Iran if negotiations fail, adding that Iranian leaders would be “forced to surrender quickly and easily” if they reject the proposal.
Trump confirmed that US envoy Steve Witkoff is en route to Pakistan for meetings scheduled on Tuesday as part of ongoing diplomatic efforts.
Escalating tensions in Hormuz
The remarks come amid rapidly rising tensions following Iran’s renewed closure of the Strait of Hormuz over the weekend, citing an ongoing US blockade.
Tehran had previously announced the waterway was open, but Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) moved to shut it again on April 18 and reportedly fired on at least two civilian vessels.
Trump accused Iran of violating a ceasefire by opening fire in the strait, saying the closure is costing Tehran an estimated $500 million per day while the United States is “losing nothing.”
“Many ships are now heading to the United States to load cargo, thanks to the IRGC,” he said, adding that Iran’s move was contradictory given Washington’s existing blockade measures.
Fragile truce nearing deadline
The latest escalation comes as a fragile truce approaches a critical April 21 deadline, with military threats intensifying alongside diplomatic mediation efforts.
On April 7, Trump agreed to a two-week ceasefire shortly before a previous deadline expired. However, the agreement has remained unstable.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said on Friday that the strait had been fully reopened during the ceasefire period, but the IRGC’s subsequent actions have renewed uncertainty over maritime security in one of the world’s most critical energy routes.
Despite the tensions, Trump insisted that negotiations are progressing, saying “very good conversations” are ongoing — even as he reiterated the threat of military action if no agreement is reached.