US President Donald Trump on Friday issued a stark warning to Iran in his latest Truth Social post, saying Tehran had “no cards” left and was relying only on “short term extortion of the world” through control of key international waterways.

“The Iranians don’t seem to realize they have no cards, other than a short term extortion of the World by using International Waterways,” Trump wrote, adding, “The only reason they are alive today is to negotiate!”

The remarks came hours after Trump signalled a potential military escalation in an interview with the New York Post, where he had said that US warships were being reloaded with “the best ammunition” and were ready to resume strikes if peace talks in Pakistan fail.

Speaking as Vice President JD Vance departed for Islamabad to lead negotiations, Trump underscored the narrow window for diplomacy. “We’re going to find out in about 24 hours. We’re going to know soon,” he told the New York Post.

Iran is expected to be represented in Islamabad by Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi and Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf. Araghchi had earlier insisted in pre-war talks that Iran has an inalienable right to enrich uranium.

Trump expressed scepticism over Tehran’s commitments. “You’re dealing against people that we don’t know whether or not they tell the truth,” he said. “To our face, they’re getting rid of all nuclear weapons, everything’s gone. And then they go out to the press and say, ‘No, we’d like to enrich.’ So we’ll find out.”

The talks are expected to focus on key US demands, including Iran handing over an estimated 1,000 pounds of deeply buried enriched uranium and continuing the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz to international shipping. Trump has said that reopening the Strait for free passage of ships is a critical component of any ceasefire deal, though few vessels have passed through since the US halted its bombing campaign.

Other issues on the table include ending Iran’s support for regional proxies, the status of its ballistic missile program, and Tehran’s demand for the lifting of US sanctions.

Donald Trump also took a jibe at Iran saying, “The Iranians are better at handling the fake news media and public relations than they are at fighting!”

WHITE HOUSE SIGNALS OPTIMISM

Meanwhile, the White House said that Trump remains optimistic about the chances of a breakthrough as negotiations with Iran get underway in Pakistan.

“President Trump is optimistic that a deal can be reached,” White House principal deputy press secretary Anna Kelly told Fox News, outlining the administration’s expectations ahead of the high-stakes talks.

Kelly said Trump had tasked Vice President JD Vance, special envoy Steve Witkoff and senior adviser Jared Kushner with leading the negotiations in Islamabad, with additional support from officials across the National Security Council and State Department.

She added that the team has been working in close coordination from the outset. “The Vice President, Secretary of State, Special Envoy and Mr. Kushner have always been collaborating on these discussions,” Kelly said, expressing confidence that the talks could yield “lasting peace in the Middle East.”

IRAN PUTS PRE-CONDITIONS FOR TALKS

Iran will not enter negotiations until key preconditions are met, Parliament Speaker Mohammad Baqer Ghalibaf said on Friday, insisting that a ceasefire in Lebanon and the release of Tehran’s blocked assets must come first.

In a post on X, Qalibaf made clear that talks cannot proceed without prior commitments being honoured. “Two of the measures mutually agreed upon between the parties have yet to be implemented: a ceasefire in Lebanon and the release of Iran’s blocked assets prior to the commencement of negotiations,” he wrote.

“These two matters must be fulfilled before negotiations begin,” he added, underscoring Iran’s hardened stance as diplomatic efforts gather pace.

Iran has been unable to access tens of billions of dollars of its assets from foreign banks, mainly earned from exports of oil and gas, due to US sanctions on its banking and energy sectors.

(With inputs from agencies)