Donald Trump (archive photo)
US President Donald Trump warned on Tuesday that the United States will “bomb” Iran if an agreement is not reached that “protects” US interests and those of the international community.His statements came before the fragile two-week ceasefire ended on Tuesday evening (Washington time).
It also came amid uncertainty regarding the second round of talks between the two sides in Islamabad, the Pakistani capital, which hosted the first round of talks on April 11 and 12, which failed.“The military is ready to withdraw. If we don’t have a deal that protects our interests and the world, we will bomb. It’s that simple. I expect to bomb because I think that’s the best position to take,” the Republican told CNBC’s “Squawk Box” in a phone interview.He added: “But we are ready to withdraw. I mean, the army is eager to withdraw. They are absolutely amazing.”Trump also said he does not support extending the ceasefire beyond the current April 22 deadline, and stated that Tehran “doesn’t have a choice.”“I don’t want to do that (extend the ceasefire). We don’t have a lot of time, because by the time the two sides get there, you know, they’ve got the agreement to go ahead, which is what I knew they were going to do anyway.
I don’t think they had a choice. They have to negotiate.”The ceasefire, agreed earlier this month to make way for diplomatic talks, remains very fragile. Both Washington and Tehran have raised concerns about how it will be followed.On February 28, the United States and Israel carried out joint strikes across Iran. The Islamic Republic responded, starting the ongoing conflict in the Middle East.(with that I input)
