Trump Warns Iran as Hardened Stance Sparks Conflict Fears

Mediated talks between the United States and Iran in Pakistan have failed to materialize, as Tehran projects a diminished interest in US-Iran negotiations that exceed its accepted terms.

Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi met with senior Pakistani officials in Islamabad on Saturday before departing for Oman and Russia. Araghchi stated he has yet to see if the United States is truly serious about diplomacy.

Envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner were expected in Pakistan following reports that Iran requested a second round of direct negotiations. However, President Donald Trump cancelled the trip, reiterating claims of “infighting and confusion” within Iran’s leadership.

Trump asserted that the U.S. “has all the cards” and placed the responsibility for initiating contact on Tehran, writing in an online post that Iranian leadership simply needs to call if they wish to talk.

Internal Unity and State Control

Amid a near-total internet shutdown lasting nearly two months, Iranian officials are emphasizing a unified front against making concessions to the Trump administration.

Military, security, and judiciary authorities have released synchronized messages with near-identical wording to proclaim absolute obedience to Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei. State media claims more than 30 million people have registered in a campaign to express readiness to sacrifice their lives, though no documentation has been provided to support the figure.

While state-backed figures warn against factional infighting, reports from Mashhad indicate some religious leaders continue to preach against the possibility of former reformist leaders, such as Hassan Rouhani and Mohammad Javad Zarif, returning to power.

Simultaneously, the Iranian judiciary continues to execute dissidents. On Saturday, authorities announced the hanging of Erfan Kiani, whom the judiciary accused of being a “Mossad’s hired knife-wielder” during January protests.

Naval Escalation in the Strait of Hormuz

The Khatam al-Anbiya Central Headquarters of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) warned on Saturday that armed forces will retaliate if the U.S. continues its “blockade, banditry and piracy” in southern waters.

The IRGC stated it is determined to maintain control of the strategic Strait of Hormuz and is prepared to inflict “severe damages” on “American-Zionist enemies” in the event of further aggression.

To demonstrate this control, the IRGC broadcasted a report from near two vessels seized days earlier in the strait, claiming total control over the waterway.

Standoff Over Nuclear Negotiations

State-affiliated news agencies Tasnim and Fars have argued against including nuclear negotiations in talks with the U.S., insisting that discussions should be strictly limited to ending the war.

Hardline members of parliament have described including the nuclear issue as a “strategic mistake” that allows the U.S. to demand the suspension of enrichment and the removal of high-enriched uranium.

The tension is heightened by the presence of three U.S. aircraft carriers in the Middle East, the largest buildup since the 2003 invasion of Iraq. Israel’s Defence Minister Israel Katz echoed apocalyptic messaging, stating forces are ready to target Iran’s energy and electricity facilities.

Civilian Infrastructure Under Threat

President Masoud Pezeshkian has expressed concern over the systematic targeting of civilian infrastructure, specifically power plants. He has urged citizens to reduce their energy consumption to manage the impact of U.S. blockades and attacks.

First Vice President Mohammadreza Aref noted that previous attacks have hit airports, naval ports, bridges, railway networks, and petrochemical firms. Despite the risk of renewed conflict, Tehran’s Imam Khomeini Airport reopened Saturday for limited foreign-bound flights, including those for the Hajj pilgrimage.