Trump says Iran talks will conclude ‘and everybody’s going to be happy’

US President Donald Trump said Monday that negotiations with Iran will be completed successfully and “everybody’s going to be happy,” despite apparent deadlock and sharp rhetoric from Tehran. “We’ve done a great job, and we’ll get it closed out, and everybody’s going to be happy,” Trump told a conservative radio host. His optimism came just hours after Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf declared that Tehran rejects negotiations with the US “under the shadow of threats.” Ghalibaf, a key figure in the talks, criticized Trump’s decision to impose a naval blockade on the Strait of Hormuz, which Iran considers a violation of the already fragile ceasefire.

Iran’s military options

Ghalibaf wrote on social media that Trump has attempted to use threats to turn the talks “into a table of surrender or to justify renewed warmongering.” He warned that Iran has prepared new military options should the Pakistan-brokered two-week ceasefire lapse this week. Asked about Iran’s opposition, Trump responded: “They’re going to negotiate, and if they don’t, they’re going to see problems like they’ve never seen before.” He added that he hopes for a fair deal under which Iran will not have a nuclear weapon: “They will have no access to, no chance of having a nuclear weapon.”

Blockade and shipping tensions

Trump announced Sunday that US representatives would fly to Islamabad for negotiations, though Tehran has yet to officially confirm participation and has demanded the lifting of the blockade. The US has maintained a naval blockade on Iranian ports since last week. Iran had declared the Strait of Hormuz open on Friday but reversed course on Saturday, again restricting vessel movements, with state media saying the US had not met its obligations. Trump also warned that the US would target Iran’s infrastructure if Tehran failed to accept US terms, adding to market unease as the ceasefire is set to expire Tuesday evening Washington time.