Trump says US officials are talking with intermediaries in Pakistan on Iran

WASHINGTON: US President Donald Trump said on Monday that senior American officials, including Vice President JD Vance, were in contact with intermediaries in Pakistan as Washington pressed Iran to accept a ceasefire arrangement ahead of a Tuesday night deadline set by the US president.

Trump made the remarks at two separate White House appearances, where he also escalated his warnings to Tehran and said the United States could inflict sweeping damage on Iran if no agreement was reached.

At a White House press conference, Trump said Iran had until Tuesday night to make a deal or face broader attacks.

The entire country can be taken out in one night, and that night might be tomorrow night, he said, adding “I hope I don’t have to do it.”

According to Iranian media cited in the report, Tehran rejected a US ceasefire proposal delivered through intermediary Pakistan and instead conveyed a 10-point plan. The reported proposal called for an end to conflicts in the region, a protocol for safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz, the lifting of sanctions and reconstruction.

Trump later said Iran’s response did not go far enough.

“They made a proposal, and it’s a significant proposal. It’s a significant step. It’s not good enough”, he told reporters.

Talks through Pakistan

Speaking on the sidelines of the White House Easter Egg Roll event, Trump said Vance, US envoy to the Middle East Steve Witkoff and his son-in-law Jared Kushner were engaged with intermediaries in Pakistan.

When asked whether he expected Vance to continue those contacts, Trump replied:

“Well, he is, and we have Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner talking. They’re all unified and they’re all talking”.

Asked whether Vance could take part in an in-person meeting, Trump said “could be.

Threats of wider strikes

Trump’s comments came as he warned of expanded bombing of power plants and other critical infrastructure if Iran did not comply with US demands. Trump was demanding that Iran renounce nuclear weapons and reopen the Strait of Hormuz oil transit waterway.

During an Easter event on the White House South Lawn, Trump dismissed criticism that attacks on civilian power plants could amount to war crimes.

“I’m not worried about it. You know what’s a war crime? Having a nuclear weapon”, he said.

He also repeated that the deadline was final and said “If they don’t, they’ll have no bridges, no power plants, no anything. I won’t go further because there are other things that are worse than those two, while standing alongside First Lady Melania Trump and a mascot dressed as a giant Easter bunny.”

US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth told the same briefing that Monday would see the largest volume of strikes since the first day of the operation against Iran, and said Tuesday would bring even more.