President Donald Trump declared Iran has no negotiating leverage beyond its control of the Strait of Hormuz as Vice President JD Vance departed for Pakistan to lead crucial peace talks aimed at ending the escalating conflict.
The Iranians don't seem to realize they have no cards, other than a short term extortion of the World by using International Waterways. The only reason they are alive today is to negotiate!
Donald Trump — Truth Social
The talks in Islamabad represent the most significant diplomatic effort to resolve the crisis since a two-week ceasefire was announced Tuesday. However, the Strait of Hormuz remains largely closed to shipping despite the truce, with Tehran's threats deterring most vessels from transiting the waterway that carries one-fifth of global crude oil.
Trump escalated his rhetoric Friday, telling the New York Post that US warships are being reloaded with advanced weaponry in preparation for potential strikes if negotiations collapse.
We're loading up the ships with the best ammunition, the best weapons ever made -- even better than what we did previously and we blew them apart. And if we don't have a deal, we will be using them, and we will be using them very effectively.
Donald Trump — New York Post
Iran responded by setting firm preconditions for the talks. Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf demanded that Israeli attacks on Lebanon cease and Iran's frozen assets be released before negotiations can begin.
Two of the measures mutually agreed upon between the parties have yet to be implemented: a ceasefire in Lebanon and the release of Iran's blocked assets prior to the commencement of negotiations. These two matters must be fulfilled before negotiations begin.
Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf — X
Vance warned Tehran against attempting to manipulate the negotiations as he departed for Islamabad with special envoy Steve Witkoff and Trump's son-in-law Jared Kushner.
If the Iranians are willing to negotiate in good faith, we're certainly willing to extend the open hand. If they're going to try to play us, then they're going to find the negotiating team is not that receptive.
JD Vance — Joint Base Andrews
The negotiations face multiple sticking points beyond the Strait of Hormuz. The US demands Iran surrender its stockpile of highly enriched uranium, while Iran seeks guarantees against further American and Israeli attacks. The location of Iran's uranium stockpile, timeline for restoring normal shipping, and Iran's missile program remain unresolved.
Trump's dismissive language toward Iran echoes his February confrontation with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, when he told the Ukrainian leader "you don't have the cards" against Russia. The parallel suggests Trump views both conflicts through the lens of leverage and negotiating position rather than broader geopolitical considerations.