West Asia on edge after Trump hints at Iran bombardment

Washington: Tehran is said to have refused to participate in the latest round of discussions with the US, though mediators claimed otherwise. US Vice President JD Vance's trip to Islamabad is on hold, officials said.

US President Donald Trump earlier said Iran has "no choice...they have to negotiate," adding, "We're ready to go. The military is raring to go."

Trump said he's ready to resume Iran bombardment if talks falter. "I expect to be bombing because I think that's a better attitude to go in with," he said. On the other hand, Iran Parliament Speaker Mohammed Qalibaf spoke of "new cards on the battlefield" that haven't yet been revealed. Asked if he would continue the ceasefire if there's progress in talks, the US President said, "Well, I don't want to do that. We don't have that much time." It remains unclear when the ceasefire expires - Tuesday or Wednesday night. Shipping traffic through the Strait of Hormuz remains broadly halted.