West Asia conflict highlights: Trump warns of renewed Iran strikes if talks fail as peace efforts continue

US President Donald Trump has said that he is ready to resume Iran bombardment if talks do not go well signalling continued uncertainty over a fragile ceasefire and upcoming negotiationsIn an appearance on CNBCrsquos Squawk Box Trump was asked directly if he would resume strikes if there is no progress in the coming talks in IslamabadldquoWell I expect to be bombing because I think thats a better attitude to go in withrdquo Trump said adding ldquoBut you know were ready to go I mean the military is raring to gordquoAsked if he would continue the ceasefire if there is progress in the next round of Iran talks Trump said ldquoWell I dont want to do that We dont have that much timerdquo He added that Iran ldquohad a choicerdquo and ldquothey have to negotiaterdquoHowever it remained unclear when the ceasefire actually expires Tuesday night was initially described as the deadline when the pause was announced two weeks ago but Trump told Bloomberg News that the ceasefire will now expire on Wednesday nightTrump accuses Iran of violating truce as doubts grow over peace talksUS President Donald Trump on Tuesday accused Iran of repeatedly violating a temporary truce even as uncertainty deepened over upcoming peace talks and the ceasefire neared its endldquoIran has Violated the Cease Fire numerous timesrdquo Trump said in a post on his Truth Social platform without giving detailsThe US leader also said Washington was in a strong negotiating position even as the twoweek ceasefire agreed earlier this month was set to expire by WednesdayldquoWere going to end up with a great deal I think they have no choice Were in a very very strong negotiating positionrdquo Trump told CNBC ldquoIran can get themselves on a very good footing if they make a dealrdquoTrump warned that if the ceasefire expires ldquothen lots of bombs start going offrdquoHe also said the US blockade of Iranian ports would continue until a deal is reached The US Defence Department said its forces intercepted and boarded a ldquostateless sanctionedrdquo vessel as part of enforcement action linked to Iranrelated networksWest Asia conflict Diplomatic push amid tensionsPakistan said it is continuing lastminute efforts to facilitate talks between the two sides in Islamabad which earlier hosted a round of negotiations that ended without agreementForeign Minister Ishaq Dar urged both sides ldquoto consider extending the ceasefire and to give dialogue and diplomacy a chancerdquo according to a Pakistani foreign ministry statementHowever Iran has not confirmed participation in the next round of talks Iranian state TV said no delegation had left for Islamabad rejecting reports suggesting otherwiseTehran has accused Washington of acting in bad faith while Iranian officials have warned they will not negotiate ldquounder the shadow of threatsrdquo and may respond militarily if conflict resumesIran denies sending delegation tensions over ceasefire breachesBoth sides have accused each other of violating the ceasefire The US has alleged attacks on ships in key trade routes while Iran has criticised the US blockade and seizure of vesselsDespite diplomatic uncertainty Trump said he still expected a favourable dealIndia monitoring situation in touch with Iran over ships and nationalsIndia said on Tuesday that it is closely monitoring developments in West Asia and remains in contact with regional countries including Iran over the safety of Indian nationals and merchant shippingMinistry of External Affairs MEA Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said India is in touch with Iranian authorities regarding safe passage of Indian ships through the Strait of Hormuz and the welfare of Indian citizens in IranHe said India continues its diplomatic outreach in the region including recent highlevel visits to Saudi Arabia the United Arab Emirates UAE Qatar and interactions at multiple levels on energy diaspora and strategic issuesIndia also raised concern over a recent firing incident involving Indianflagged vessels in the Strait of Hormuz and urged Iran to ensure safe navigation of merchant shippingRising regional tension amid fragile ceasefireThe situation remains volatile as the ceasefire nears expiry with warnings of renewed strikes if talks collapse Trump has indicated that if no agreement is reached ldquolots of bombs start going offrdquo while diplomatic efforts continue in parallel through regional intermediariesWith AP IANS and AFP inputs