U.S. President Donald Trump renewed his criticism of the Pope and stated that Iran obtaining a nuclear bomb is “completely unacceptable.”
Writing on his platform Truth Social on Tuesday, Trump said: “Can someone inform Pope Leo that Iran has killed at least 42,000 completely unarmed innocent protesters over the past two months, and that possessing a nuclear bomb is absolutely unacceptable?”
Trump also said he is not considering extending the ceasefire with Iran and does not believe it will be necessary.
Speaking to ABC News correspondent Jonathan Karl on Tuesday, he added: “It could end in any way, but I believe reaching an agreement is the best option, because it would allow them to rebuild themselves.”
He further stated that NATO “did not support the United States and will not do so in the future,” reflecting a hardline stance toward the alliance.
Trump said on Tuesday that the war with Iran is “close to ending,” according to remarks from an upcoming interview scheduled to air on Fox News on Wednesday. When asked directly whether the war had ended, he indicated it was very close to conclusion.
Four sources indicated that U.S. and Iranian negotiating teams may return to Islamabad this week, days after the highest-level talks between the two countries since 1979 ended without a breakthrough in the Pakistani capital.
Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said on Monday that the ceasefire between the United States and Iran is “holding,” confirming continued efforts to reach an agreement after the Islamabad talks failed over the weekend.
U.S. Vice President J.D. Vance stated early Sunday that no agreement had been reached with Iran on the nuclear issue, saying: “We are returning to Washington without reaching an agreement with the Iranians.”
Vance added that “the ball is in Tehran’s court” regarding the resumption of talks, emphasizing that the coming days will be decisive in determining whether a comprehensive agreement can be reached.
The United States began imposing a naval blockade on Iran on Monday evening following the failure of negotiations aimed at ending the war that began on February 28.
Reuters
