Trump Says Iran Broke Ceasefire, But Peace Deal Still Possible

Donald Trump sharpened his pressure campaign against Iran on Sunday, accusing Tehran of a “serious violation” of the ceasefire while insisting a broader peace deal could still be forced into place. In an interview with ABC News’ Jonathan Karl, Trump said, “It will happen. One way or another. The nice way or the hard way. It’s going to happen. You can quote me.”

The clash came as Iran again restricted shipping in the Strait of Hormuz, a move that raised the stakes well beyond a bilateral dispute. The waterway is one of the world’s most important oil transit corridors, and any interruption quickly ripples through energy markets, freight costs and insurance premiums. Trump said the U.S. blockade of Iranian ports was costing Iran about $500 million a day, while the United States was losing nothing, a calculation meant to show that Washington believed time favored its position.

But the rhetoric also exposed the limits of U.S. leverage. The White House said Iran had agreed to a ceasefire and the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz while broader peace talks continued, suggesting Washington still saw a diplomatic opening. At the same time, Reuters reported that Trump renewed threats to strike Iranian infrastructure if no deal was reached, including bridges and power plants, underscoring that force remained part of the bargaining strategy.

The timing mattered. Trump said U.S. envoys would arrive in Pakistan on Monday evening for another round of talks, signaling that negotiations were still active even as both sides accused each other of violating the ceasefire. A Pakistan-mediated ceasefire framework had been reported on April 8, after Iran rejected an earlier draft 45-day, two-phase proposal and put forward its own plan. That arrangement has since been violated by both sides, leaving the diplomatic process fragile and the lines of enforcement unclear.

Trump’s stance suggested a familiar formula: offer talks, back them with threats, and try to create the impression that surrender is cheaper than resistance. Yet a viable agreement would require more than bluster. It would need a verified halt to attacks around the Strait of Hormuz, clarity on shipping access, and terms both governments can sell at home without appearing to capitulate. For now, Washington is trying to negotiate under pressure, and Iran is testing how far that pressure can be pushed before it becomes a wider conflict.