Trump Says US Will ‘Finish’ War If Iran Talks Fail As Delegations Arrive In Pakistan

US President Donald Trump warned Washington will escalate and “finish” the war if diplomacy fails, vowing to reopen the Strait of Hormuz with or without Iran’s cooperation.

Senior delegations from Iran and the United States have arrived in Islamabad for high-stakes negotiations, following days of intensive behind-the-scenes contacts between diplomats aimed at setting the agenda and avoiding an early collapse.

Officials from both sides held indirect and technical-level discussions through intermediaries to narrow differences on ceasefire terms, sanctions relief, and regional security before formal talks begin.

US President Donald Trump warned that Washington is prepared to escalate if diplomacy fails, saying the United States would “finish” the war if negotiations collapse. He also signalled that reopening the Strait of Hormuz remains a priority “with or without” Iran’s cooperation, underscoring continued military pressure alongside diplomatic efforts.

Tehran, however, has taken a firm position ahead of the talks, insisting that key preconditions must be met before substantive negotiations can proceed. Iranian officials say these include a verified ceasefire in Lebanon, the release of frozen Iranian assets, and guarantees against further US or allied military actions in the region.

US Vice President JD Vance, who is leading the American delegation, struck a cautious tone while travelling to Pakistan, saying he expects progress but warning Iran against attempting to “play” the United States. His team includes senior diplomatic, military, and intelligence officials, reflecting the broad scope of the negotiations.

Iran’s delegation is headed by Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf and includes top political and security figures, signalling Tehran’s intent to negotiate from a position of strength. Iranian officials have emphasised that earlier understandings reached through mediators must be honoured, particularly on sanctions relief and de-escalation measures.

Pakistan is playing a central mediating role, hosting both delegations under tight security as global attention focuses on Islamabad. Diplomats say preliminary engagements between side delegations—covering technical, military, and humanitarian tracks—have already exposed deep disagreements, particularly over sequencing; whether Iran’s demands should be met before talks or negotiated in parallel.

Despite the diplomatic push, tensions remain high across the region, including continued instability linked to the Lebanon front and disruptions around the Strait of Hormuz.

The latest crisis follows weeks of escalating confrontation between US and Iranian forces and their allies across the Middle East, raising fears of a broader regional war. Previous ceasefire efforts have remained fragile, with both sides accusing each other of violations and delaying agreed steps.

With both sides entering talks under pressure but far apart on core demands, the Islamabad negotiations are widely seen as a important moment that could determine whether the conflict moves toward de-escalation or a wider war.

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