Trump: U.S. warships reloaded as Iran talks enter 24-hour window

President Trump told an interviewer U.S. warships have been reloaded with “the best ammunition” and that military action is ready if negotiations with Iran in Islamabad fail within about 24 hours. He warned that force could follow if talks do not produce an outcome acceptable to the United States.

The talks in Pakistan’s capital began after a roughly two-week cease-fire between the United States and Iran. A U.S. delegation that includes JD Vance, Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner is meeting Iranian representatives expected to include Abbas Araghchi and Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf. Trump said he expects to know the result of the discussions in about a day.

U.S. negotiators have set specific demands: that Iran surrender roughly 1,000 pounds of enriched uranium, ensure the Strait of Hormuz remains open to commercial shipping, end support for regional proxy groups and address its ballistic missile program. Iranian officials have maintained a right to enrich uranium and are pressing for the lifting of U.S. sanctions.

The Strait of Hormuz has only partially reopened since the cease-fire, with limited ship traffic reported. Trump described full reopening of the strait as a condition for any deal and cited inconsistent statements from Iranian officials about their nuclear intentions as a reason for distrust.

U.S. officials have framed the talks on a tight timeline, saying the outcome should be clear within about 24 hours. The pause in hostilities followed the two-week truce and was intended to create space for diplomacy in Islamabad.

Trump used the phrase “the best ammunition” to describe the warships' loadout and warned that military measures are prepared if the diplomatic effort fails to meet U.S. conditions.