Trump Threatens to Destroy Iran’s Infrastructure as Nuclear Talks Move to Pakistan

US President Donald Trump issued a series of aggressive warnings to Tehran on Sunday, April 19, ahead of a high-stakes round of negotiations set to begin in Islamabad, Pakistan, on Monday evening.

In a post on Truth Social, Trump accused Iran of a “total violation” of the current ceasefire following attacks on French and British vessels in the Strait of Hormuz. He claimed that Iran’s decision to close the waterway is inadvertently benefiting the US economy by redirecting shipping to Texas, Louisiana, and Alaska, while costing Tehran $500 million daily.

Trump warned that if a final agreement is not reached, the US will “knock out every single power plant and every single bridge” in Iran. “NO MORE MR. NICE GUY!” the US president wrote, adding that it would be his “honor” to end the “Iran killing machine.”

The ultimatum was met with defiance from Tehran. Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, speaking at the Ministry of Sports, asserted that Trump has no authority to control his nation’s nuclear program, Sky News reported.

“What kind of person is he to deprive a nation of its legitimate rights?” Pezeshkian asked, referring to the “nuclear rights” of the Iranian people. While the Iranian president expressed a desire to end the conflict with “full dignity” before the ceasefire expires on Wednesday, April 22, he remained firm against US pressure.

Other Topics of Interest

US Military Says It Has ‘Defeated’ Iran Missile, Drone Attacks in Gulf

The US military said it defeated a series of Iranian missile and drone attacks in the Gulf and struck an Iranian military facility on Qeshm Island in the Strait of Hormuz. US Central Command denied Iranian claims that US bases in Bahrain and the region were hit, saying all attacks failed. The incidents came despite a US-Iran ceasefire in place since April 8.

This escalation in rhetoric occurs as the two nations remain deadlocked over the terms of a proposed “great deal.” The core of the negotiation involves unfreezing $20 billion in Iranian assets in exchange for the transfer of Tehran’s enriched uranium to the US.

However, deep divisions persist: Washington is pushing for a 20-year moratorium on enrichment, while Tehran seeks a five-year term and has repeatedly stated it will not transfer its nuclear stockpile abroad.

With the Wednesday deadline approaching, the upcoming Islamabad talks represent a final diplomatic effort to prevent a return to full-scale hostilities. Trump’s threats suggest that the “Board of Peace” diplomacy is shifting toward a posture of total military pressure, while Iran’s leadership continues to frame its resistance as a strategic defense of national sovereignty.