‘Only reason they are alive today…’: Donald Trump escalates rhetoric ahead of US-Iran talks as JD Vance heads to Islamabad

By GNN On Apr 10, 2026

Donald Trump adopted a sharply aggressive tone ahead of scheduled talks with Iran, set to take place in Pakistan, just hours after Vice President JD Vance departed for Islamabad to engage with Iranian representatives.

Posting on Truth Social, Trump said Iran “has no cards” beyond what he described as short-term leverage through control of international waterways. “The only reason they are alive today is to negotiate!” he added.

The remarks come amid heightened tensions following a conflict involving the United States and Israel, with Iran accused of restricting access to the Strait of Hormuz — a critical global oil shipping route — since late February.

Although a two-week truce was reached earlier this week, the passage has not been fully reopened. Reports suggest Tehran is considering imposing a toll on vessels transiting the strait, with figures as high as $2 million per ship being cited.

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