World
Trump on Failed Iran Talks: "Don't Care If They Come Back," Tehran in Dire Straits

President Donald Trump shrugged off the dramatic collapse of US-Iran negotiations in Islamabad, bluntly stating he has no interest in resuming talks anytime soon. In remarks to reporters aboard Air Force One, Trump described Iran as being in "very bad shape" militarily and economically, signaling a tough new stance amid escalating tensions.
The high-stakes discussions, hosted by Pakistan and marking the first direct US-Iran dialogue in over a decade, stretched more than 20 hours but ended in deadlock late Friday. Trump cited two key impasses: Iran's steadfast refusal to abandon its nuclear enrichment program and its alleged failure to clear mines from the Strait of Hormuz, a critical global oil shipping lane.
"We gave them a chance, but they lied about the Strait," Trump said, adding that the US had refrained from further strikes on Iranian infrastructure despite having the capability. While some peripheral agreements emerged and delegates reportedly built rapport, the nuclear issue remained non-negotiable for Washington.
Trump painted a dire picture of Tehran's capabilities, claiming its missile stockpiles are "largely depleted," drone production crippled, and overall forces decimated by recent US actions. "Their military is gone. We've been nice to them," he remarked, urging internal dissent within Iran's Revolutionary Guards as a path forward. This comes days after Trump announced a US naval blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, set to tighten the screws on Iran's oil exports starting Monday. Such a move risks spiking global energy prices, echoing past disruptions that added billions to import costs for nations like India.
Iranian officials countered that the US failed to build trust, with parliamentary speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf calling Tehran's proposals "constructive." The failed parley follows a shaky 14-day ceasefire, raising fears of renewed conflict in a region already strained by proxy wars and sanctions. As Trump shifts from cautious optimism to outright disinterest—"Don't know. Don't care" if Iran returns—observers warn of economic ripple effects and potential regime pressures in Tehran. The White House has not detailed immediate responses beyond the blockade, but markets are bracing for volatility.



