Washington DC [US], April 13, 2026, BNN Web Staff: US President Donald Trump on Sunday signalled indifference over whether Iran would return to the negotiation table following a deadlock in high-level talks held in Islamabad aimed at de-escalating tensions in West Asia.
Speaking to reporters at Joint Base Andrews, Trump said he was unconcerned about the outcome of future diplomatic engagement with Tehran, claiming that the country was in a weakened state after prolonged military pressure from the United States.
He described Iran as being in “very bad shape” and “very desperate,” asserting that its military capabilities had been significantly degraded.
“I don’t know. I don’t care if they come back or not. If they don’t come back, I’m fine,” Trump said, adding that Iran’s missile stockpiles and production capacity had been largely reduced following extended military operations.
He further claimed that Iran’s ability to manufacture missiles and drones had been severely impacted, stating that the US understood the situation better than any other party involved.
Trump also accused Tehran of failing to honour commitments made during ceasefire-related discussions, particularly regarding the strategic Strait of Hormuz, alleging that Iranian authorities had not followed through on assurances to open maritime routes.
Reiterating Washington’s position on Iran’s nuclear ambitions, he stressed that the United States would not allow Tehran to acquire nuclear weapons under any circumstances.
He further announced additional restrictive measures targeting maritime movement in the region, saying efforts were underway to limit Iran’s ability to export oil through key shipping lanes. He added that allied nations were cooperating with the US initiative.
Trump also claimed that some vessels were attempting to bypass traditional routes to transport oil, warning that such movements would be curtailed under ongoing enforcement actions.
Earlier, the US President had confirmed that the US Navy would begin intercepting vessels in the region to prevent what he described as exploitation of maritime routes linked to Iran.
Meanwhile, diplomatic discussions between the United States and Iran in Islamabad reportedly lasted 21 hours before ending in a stalemate, with US Vice President JD Vance confirming that no agreement was reached despite extensive negotiations.
