‘We Win Regardless’: Trump Downplays Collapse of Iran Peace Negotiations

US President Donald Trump has said he "doesn't care" if Iran returns to negotiations, a day after US-Iran talks in Pakistan collapsed without a deal, and announced a naval blockade targeting Iran’s oil exports through the Strait of Hormuz.

Trump told reporters that Iran remains determined to pursue nuclear capabilities, stressed that Tehran is "in a very bad shape", and vowed that "Iran will not have a nuclear weapon. There is no way," despite 21 hours of recent discussions between the two sides.

US-Iran talks focus on nuclear issue and Strait of Hormuz blockade

Describing the Islamabad discussions, Trump said US and Iranian representatives met for about 21 hours, and claimed Washington "understands the situation better than anybody". Trump added that negotiators reached agreement on most topics, but the nuclear question blocked any final understanding.

On social platform Truth Social, Trump wrote, "So, there you have it, the meeting went well, most points were agreed to, but the only point that really mattered, NUCLEAR, was not. Effective immediately, the United States Navy, the Finest in the World, will begin the process of BLOCKADING any and all Ships trying to enter, or leave, the Strait of Hormuz."

US-Iran talks followed by threats over Strait of Hormuz and oil sales

Trump later expanded on the planned blockade, saying that from 10am local time on Monday the measure will take effect, and claimed other countries are also moving to ensure Iran cannot sell oil through the key maritime route, which is widely regarded as the world’s busiest oil chokepoint.

According to Trump, Iran’s decision to limit traffic through the Strait of Hormuz amounts to "world extortion". He warned that "no one" paying what he called an "illegal toll" to Iran would enjoy safe movement on international waters, signalling potential action against vessels trading with Tehran.

US-Iran talks, military claims and damaged infrastructure

Trump argued that recent US military actions have badly weakened Iran’s armed forces, saying Iran’s military is "gone", its missile stocks are "largely depleted", and its capacity to build missiles and drones is "largely defeated". These claims have not been independently verified but reflect Washington’s pressure strategy.

Trump also said the US armed forces have been "nice" by avoiding extensive strikes on Iranian infrastructure, stating that Washington hit only one bridge. According to Trump, that bridge became a target because "they broke their word" on keeping the Strait of Hormuz open for shipping traffic.

US-Iran talks stalemate and contrasting positions on future dialogue

Asked whether US-Iran talks could resume, Trump replied, "I don't know. I don't care if they come back or not. If they don't come back, I'm fine." Trump repeated that "They still want it, and they made that clear the other night. Iran will NOT have a nuclear weapon."

Iran has presented a very different account of the Islamabad discussions. State broadcaster IRIB reported that the Iranian delegation held intensive meetings with a US team led by vice president JD Vance, saying Tehran aimed to protect national interests but that what IRIB called the "unreasonable demands" of the American side blocked progress.

US-Iran talks, blame over failure, and key negotiation details

Trump has publicly blamed Iran for the collapse of the peace talks in Pakistan, insisting that Tehran refused to abandon its nuclear ambitions. US media also reported Trump’s view that Iran had not honoured a promise to open the Strait of Hormuz, with Trump stating, "Their promise was that they were going to open the Strait of Hormuz, and they didn't do it. They lied."

Iran, meanwhile, has accused Washington of responsibility for the stalemate, with IRIB stating that "unreasonable" US positions in Islamabad stopped any breakthrough, despite the long meeting led on the American side by JD Vance. Both capitals now appear further apart, with heightened tensions around the Strait of Hormuz and no confirmed timetable for renewed engagement.