Trump says military remains in place as talks with Iran set to begin

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(The Center Square) – President Donald Trump says that increased military assets in the Middle East will remain in place and ready as the U.S. and Iran embark on negotiations, remaining on alert in case Iran violates the ceasefire.

“All U.S. Ships, Aircraft, and Military Personnel, with additional Ammunition, Weaponry, and anything else that is appropriate and necessary for the lethal prosecution and destruction of an already substantially degraded Enemy, will remain in place in, and around, Iran, until such time as the REAL AGREEMENT reached is fully complied with,” the president posted on Truth Social Thursday.

Trump is warning Iran if a deal isn’t made, the strikes will be more severe than the more than six weeks of attacks since the conflict began on Feb. 28.

“If for any reason it is not, which is highly unlikely, then the ‘Shootin’ Starts,’ bigger, and better, and stronger than anyone has ever seen before. It was agreed, a long time ago, and despite all of the fake rhetoric to the contrary - NO NUCLEAR WEAPONS and, the Strait of Hormuz WILL BE OPEN & SAFE. In the meantime our great Military is Loading Up and Resting, looking forward, actually, to its next Conquest,” Trump wrote.

Secretary of War Pete Hegseth shared a similar sentiment Wednesday during a Pentagon press briefing, signaling the U.S. is being cautious with Iran as negotiations are ongoing.

"We'll stay put, stay vigilant," Hegseth told reporters. "Our troops are prepared to defend, prepared to go on offense, prepared to restart at a moment's notice with whatever target package would be needed in order to comply." 

The military remains on alert as Vice President JD Vance, Special Envoy Steve Witkoff, and Jared Kushner will lead an American delegation in talks with Iran, set to begin over the weekend in Islamabad, Pakistan, with the first round scheduled for Saturday.

The talks come as the ceasefire appears shaky, with the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz becoming a flashpoint between Iran and much of the rest of the world.

Only six ships transited the strait in the first 24 hours since the ceasefire was announced, compared to an average daily of 140 ships, according to Reuters. Reports indicate only one ship contained oil, while the others were dry bulk carriers.