Iran-US war live: Trump warns ‘no more Mr Nice Guy’ and threatens new strikes – The Independent

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Donald Trump threatened to strike Iran’s civilian infrastructure if Iran ‘don’t take the deal’ as ceasefire nears end
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Tehran has reportedly rejected taking part in the second round of peace talks with the United States after Donald Trump threatened to strike civilian infrastructure.
Iran’s official state news agency, the Islamic Republic News Agency (IRNA), reported on Sunday that Iran would not be taking part in the talks despite the US sending a delegation to Pakistan. They cited “US excessive demands and unreasonable, unrealistic requests” as preventing progress.
Earlier on Sunday, US president Mr Trump threatened to strike Iran’s civilian infrastructure in an effort to bring the regime to the table for 11th-hour talks before the ceasefire expires next week.
He took to social media to urge Iran to make a deal to end the war as he announced that US negotiators, including JD Vance, would be heading to Islamabad.
“We’re offering a very fair and reasonable DEAL, and I hope they take it because, if they don’t, the United States is going to knock out every single Power Plant, and every single Bridge, in Iran,” Mr Trump wrote.
“NO MORE MR. NICE GUY! They’ll come down fast, they’ll come down easy and, if they don’t take the DEAL, it will be my Honor to do what has to be done, which should have been done to Iran, by other Presidents, for the last 47 years.”
When President Donald Trump learned that two American pilots had gone missing in Iran on Good Friday, he “screamed at aides for hours” and was then “kept out of the room” while his team was given minute-by-minute updates, according to a report.
An F-15 fighter jet was shot down over Iran on April 3, prompting a high-stakes rescue mission for the missing airmen. One crew member was swiftly rescued by U.S. forces after ejecting before the aircraft went down – but the second crew member spent more than 24 hours behind enemy lines before he was safely extracted.
Back in Washington, D.C., Trump’s fears about how the war was playing out “were ramping up,” according to The Wall Street Journal.
Read the full story here:
Iranian media is reporting that Iran has rejected taking part in the second round of talks with the US in Pakistan.
Iran’s official state news agency, the Islamic Republic News Agency (IRNA), has reported that “no clear prospect for productive talks is envisaged”.
The report says that “US excessive demands and unreasonable, unrealistic requests” have prevented progress.
In an update on social media, IRNA also said the “ongoing naval blockade” was “a breach of the ceasefire”.
Islamabad is preparing to receive the US and Iranian delegations for talks on Monday. JD Vance, Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner are travelling to Pakistan for the mediation, although Iran has not yet confirmed whether it will take part.
Police personnel were seen standing guard at a closed road leading to the Serena Hotel in the Red Zone area of Islamabad on Sunday.
Kuwaiti authorities have detained US-Kuwaiti journalist Ahmed Shihab-Eldin who has not been seen for six weeks, a media watchdog said, during a wider crackdown by Gulf nations on people for filming or posting footage during the Iran war.
Shihab-Eldin, a 41-year-old journalist who was visiting family in Kuwait, has not posted online or been seen in public since March 2, the New York-based Committee to Protect Journalists said on Monday.
CPJ said he had been charged with spreading false information, harming national security and misusing his mobile phone.
Kuwait enacted a law on March 15 including a provision carrying prison terms of up to 10 years for spreading false rumours related to military entities with the intent of undermining confidence in them.
Talks in Islamabad ended with no agreement last week but security measures were still being taken in the Pakistani capital this weekend for potential further meetings.
City authorities halted public transport and heavy goods traffic through the city and rolls of barbed wire were rolled out near the Serena Hotel where last week’s talks were held. The hotel told guests on Sunday to leave.
In central Islamabad, there was a heavy police and army presence but the security protocols did not appear to be at the same level as they were before the first round, when Vice President JD Vance led the U.S. delegation.
Earlier, Iran’s deputy foreign minister, Saeed Khatibzadeh, said a framework of understanding would have to be agreed for further talks.
European allies are concerned by the US approach to negotiations with Iran, worrying that an inexperienced team is prioritising a rapid, high-profile agreement that could exacerbate underlying issues rather than resolve them.
Diplomats with extensive experience in Tehran believe Washington’s eagerness to secure a diplomatic victory for President Donald Trump might result in a superficial accord on Iran’s nuclear program and sanctions relief.
Read the full report, sharing insight from eight senior European diplomats:
A White House official confirms to The Independent that vice president JD Vance will head to Pakistan for talks.
Donald Trump earlier told ABC News he would not, citing security concerns.
Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner are also to attend.
Donald Trump accused Iran of a “total violation” of their ceasefire agreement for firing on ships, and renewed a threat to wipe out Iran’s bridges and power plants unless it accepted his terms.
Wrapped up in the latest outburst, the president also said his envoys would arrive in Pakistan on Monday evening, prepared to hold more talks.
“We’re offering a very fair and reasonable DEAL, and I hope they take it because, if they don’t, the United States is going to knock out every single Power Plant, and every single Bridge, in Iran,” he posted on social media. “NO MORE MR. NICE GUY!”
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