President Donald Trump said on Tuesday that he thinks his administration is "going to end up with a great deal" with Iran as delegations appear to head for a new round of talks in Pakistan.
Speaking to CNBC, Trump said Tehran has "no choice" but accept an agreement with Washington because U.S. forces have their "navy, air force, their leaders."
"We've taken out their leaders, frankly, which does complicate things in one way, but these leaders are much more rational," he added.
Asked if he is willing to extend the ceasefire, which Trump said will expire on Wednesday evening Washington Time, he said: "Well, I don't want to do that."
Vice President JD Vance is expected to fly to Pakistan on Tuesday to take part in talks, according to a new report.
Neither country has publicly confirmed the talks but regional officials say they have signaled they will attend, the Associated Press noted.
Mediators told the outlet that they have received confirmation that delegations will arrive in Islamabad on Wednesday morning. Iranian state TV issued an on-screen alert on Tuesday saying that "no delegation from Iran has visited Islamabad ... so far."
Trump also said in a social media post on Wednesday that "Iran has violated the ceasefire numerous times" without elaborating further.
Tehran, in turn, has claimed that it won't "accept negotiations under the shadow of threat," adding that the country has used the ceasefire to regroup and has "prepared to reveal new cards on the battlefield."
Iran has said the ongoing blockade of the Strait of Hormuz is an obstacle to conversations, especially after the U.S. seized an Iranian-flagged cargo ship after attempting to bypass the blockade in the Gulf of Oman.
The development marks the first seizure of such a vessel since the U.S. blockade went into effect last Sunday. Trump said U.S. Marines disabled and seized the Touska after the "Iranian crew refused to listen."
The Pentagon also said in a social media post Tuesday that it has boarded a sanctioned ship in international waters because it was providing material support for Iran.
"As we have made clear, we will pursue global maritime enforcement efforts to disrupt illicit networks and interdict sanctioned vessels providing material support to Iran—anywhere they operate," the publication says.
"International waters are not a refuge for sanctioned vessels. The Department of War will continue to deny illicit actors and their vessels freedom of maneuver in the maritime domain," it adds.
