JUST IN: President Trump Says He ‘Expects to Be Bombing’ Iran If No Deal Reached by Wednesday Deadline
Published on Reflecto News | World News | Defense & Geopolitics
President Donald Trump has issued his starkest ultimatum yet, declaring that he “expects to be bombing” Iran if no deal is reached by the expiration of the ceasefire today or tomorrow. The warning comes as the fragile two-week truce brokered by Pakistan is set to expire on April 22, with diplomatic efforts hanging in the balance .
“If there’s no deal, I would certainly expect [bombing]. Lots of bombs start going off. They can take the deal — the nice way — or they can face the hard way.” — President Donald Trump
Trump’s threat marks the culmination of weeks of escalating rhetoric. He has previously warned that the “hard way” could involve targeting critical Iranian infrastructure, including “every single Power Plant, and every single Bridge,” and has claimed that the US military is “locked and loaded” .
‘They Want to Make a Deal’
Despite the ultimatum, Trump expressed belief that a diplomatic resolution remains possible, stating that Iran “wants to make a deal” and that negotiations are ongoing .
Speaking to PBS News, Trump said he was even ready to meet Iranian leaders personally to end the war that began when US and Israeli forces launched coordinated strikes on Tehran on February 28, killing Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei . He described his core demand as simple: “No nuclear weapons. Very simple. Iran cannot have a nuclear weapon” .
| Negotiation Element | Current Status |
|---|---|
| Ceasefire Expiration | April 22, 2026 (Wednesday) |
| US Delegation | VP Vance, Witkoff, Kushner en route to Islamabad |
| Iran’s Position | Delegation reportedly awaiting Supreme Leader’s approval |
| Core US Demand | Iran must forgo nuclear weapons permanently |
| Sticking Points | Uranium stockpiles, enrichment moratorium, Hormuz control |
*Sources: Axios, Reuters, Indian Express *
Iran’s Response: ‘We Do Not Negotiate Under Threats’
Iranian officials have firmly rejected the American ultimatum. Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, who leads Iran’s negotiating team, accused Trump of trying to turn the negotiating table into a “table of surrender” .
“We do not accept negotiations under the shadow of threats, and in the past two weeks, we have prepared to reveal new cards on the battlefield.” — Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, Iranian Parliament Speaker
Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baqaei reinforced this stance, stating, “We don’t believe in deadlines or ultimatums to secure Iran’s national interests” . Iran has also conditioned its return to the negotiating table on an end to the US naval blockade of Iranian ports, which Tehran considers a violation of the existing ceasefire .
A ‘Chicken-or-Egg’ Standoff
The situation remains fluid as the deadline approaches. According to Axios, a US delegation led by Vice President JD Vance traveled to Islamabad after Iran’s Supreme Leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, reportedly ordered a return to the negotiating table at the last minute . The Iranian delegation was waiting for final approval to engage in talks, arriving in Pakistan on Monday evening .
The core disagreement remains the classic “chicken-or-egg” dilemma: Washington demands Iran reopen the Strait of Hormuz and abandon its nuclear ambitions before the blockade ends, while Tehran insists the blockade must be lifted before it will return to the negotiating table .
Three Key Obstacles to a Deal
Even as diplomatic channels remain technically open, three major issues threaten to derail any agreement :
- Uranium Stockpiles: The US demands that Iran transfer its 400 kilograms of 60% enriched uranium out of the country; Iran calls the request unacceptable.
- Enrichment Moratorium: The US proposes a 20-year halt to enrichment; Iran has offered only 5 years.
- Strait of Hormuz: Iran threatens to impose a permanent toll on ships passing through the strait, a move Washington considers an act of hostility.
As the Wednesday evening deadline approaches, the world watches to see whether Iran will return to the table — or whether Trump’s threats of bombing will become reality.