United States President Donald Trump today (Sunday) intensified his tone towards Iran following what he described as a "serious violation" of the ceasefire agreement in the Strait of Hormuz.
In posts he published on the social network Truth Social, which he owns, and in a series of interviews with the media, the president made it clear that "the games are over" and "no more Mr. Nice Guy!""
Despite the harsh threats, Trump confirmed that his representatives will arrive tomorrow (Monday) evening in Islamabad, Pakistan, for a final attempt at negotiations.
In a post he published, the president wrote: "Iran decided to fire bullets in the Strait of Hormuz yesterday - a complete violation of our ceasefire agreement! Many of them were aimed at a French ship and a British cargo ship. That wasn't nice, was it?""
The president announced that he was sending the negotiating team to Pakistan: "My representatives are traveling to Islamabad - they will be there tomorrow evening, for negotiations.".
The president mocked Iran's announcement about closing the strait: "Iran recently announced that it is closing the strait, which is strange, because our blockade has already closed it. They are helping us without knowing it, and they are the ones who are losing from the closed passage, $500 million a day! The United States is not losing anything.
""In fact, many ships are currently heading to the US to load. Kudos to the Revolutionary Guards, who always want to be the 'tough guy!'".
The President emphasized: "We are offering a very fair and reasonable deal, and I hope they will agree to it, because if not - the United States is going to destroy every power plant and every bridge in Iran. No more Mr. Nice Guy! They will fall fast, they will fall easy, and if they do not accept the deal, it will be my honor to do what needs to be done - what should have been done to Iran, by other presidents, for the last 47 years. It is time for the Iranian killing machine to end!""
In an interview with Fox News and in a conversation with ABC's Jonathan Carle, Trump drew a clear red line ahead of the ceasefire's expiration this Wednesday.
""We will blow up the whole country if Iran does not agree to sign," he declared. "If they do not accept the deal, the United States will blow up every power plant and every bridge in Iran.".
When asked about the possibility of renewed fighting, the president replied firmly: "It's going to happen, the good way or the bad way. Maybe I won't renew the ceasefire and we'll have to start bombing them again.".
In Tehran, on the other hand, they are trying to convey readiness for a frontal confrontation.
The speaker of the Iranian parliament, Mohammad-Baqer Qalibaf, revealed in an interview that the Middle East was "just minutes away" from a direct military confrontation during the round of talks in Islamabad. According to him, Iranian forces were only 15 minutes away from attacking a US minelayer operating in the Strait of Hormuz.
