On April 23, President Donald Trump announced that U.S. forces would strike remaining targets in Iran if an agreement is not reached. He stated that American troops have already hit 78% of designated targets.
During a press briefing at the White House, Trump dismissed questions about the potential use of nuclear weapons, saying, “No. Why would I need that?” He emphasized that conventional methods have already been effective in achieving military objectives.
“Why would I use nuclear weapons if we have completely destroyed them in a very traditional way?” he added.
Trump further remarked that nuclear weapons should not be permitted for use by anyone. He indicated that the U.S. is currently working on the terms of a possible deal with Iran, warning that if negotiations fail, the military operation would continue to eliminate the remaining 25% of targets.
“In some cases, when I say destroyed, it’s 70, 80, 90%. It’s amazing what we’ve done. But I don’t want to rush,” Trump stated.
He also noted that Iran is under pressure due to its oil infrastructure, suggesting that failure to extract oil could lead to catastrophic consequences. Trump claimed that if oil production stops, “something will happen underground,” and that capacity could only be restored to 50-60%.
“I want to make a deal that keeps our country and the world safe from nuclear crazies,” he said.
Earlier negotiations between the U.S. and Iran, mediated by Pakistan, took place on April 11 but ended without a resolution. U.S. Vice President Mike Pence reported that the talks failed due to disagreements over key issues.
Following the unsuccessful negotiations, Trump announced on April 13 that U.S. Navy would begin a blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, asserting that all vessels paying Iran for passage would be intercepted. He warned that any Iranian military action against American ships would be met with severe retaliation.
In response to the blockade, Iran declared on April 18 that it would re-establish strict control over the Strait. On April 20, Trump expressed skepticism about the likelihood of extending a two-week ceasefire unless an agreement was reached by the April 22 deadline.
On the evening of April 21, Trump stated on Truth Social that he was postponing military action against Iran at the request of the Pakistani Prime Minister, citing internal divisions within the Iranian government. He indicated that the ceasefire would remain in place until a unified Iranian proposal was submitted.
Iran’s state media reported that Trump had unilaterally extended the ceasefire, while Iranian officials rejected the U.S. conditions for negotiations. Iranian news agency Tasnim stated that the Iranian delegation would not attend further talks in Islamabad.
Mehdi Mohammadi, an advisor to the Iranian parliament speaker, criticized Trump’s extension of the ceasefire as pointless, arguing that a losing party cannot dictate terms. He suggested that this move was an attempt by Trump to buy time for a surprise attack and warned that the blockade equated to bombings, which would provoke a military response.
On February 28, Israel conducted an attack on Tehran, prompting Trump to announce a “major military operation” aimed at neutralizing threats from the Iranian regime. He accused Iran of supporting militant groups across the region and stated that the operation’s goal was to dismantle Iran’s missile and naval capabilities.
The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps claimed responsibility for launching missiles and drones toward Israel and attacking U.S. bases in Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE.
The European Union reaffirmed its commitment to ensuring regional security and stability in the Middle East. Meanwhile, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky expressed support for giving Iranians a chance to rid themselves of a “terrorist regime” and secure safety for all affected nations.
On March 1, Trump declared that Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei was dead, a claim later confirmed by Iranian state media. The IRGC subsequently announced the start of a “devastating offensive operation” against Israel and U.S. bases.
In a series of escalating threats, Trump warned of severe consequences for Iranian energy infrastructure, suggesting that all bridges and power plants could be targeted. On April 6, Iran presented a ten-point plan for ending hostilities through Pakistan.
On April 7, Trump agreed to suspend bombings against Iran for two weeks, contingent on the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz. He indicated that the ceasefire would be mutual and that Iran’s ten-point proposal could serve as a basis for negotiations.
Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi stated that safe passage through the Strait would depend on coordination with Iranian armed forces and technical considerations.
President Trump has threatened military action against Iran if negotiations fail, claiming significant success in targeting Iranian military assets. While discussions have stalled, tensions remain high as both nations prepare for potential escalation.