WASHINGTON: In a swift follow-up to his earlier optimism, US President Donald Trump has doubled down on the prospect of an imminent peace deal with Tehran, telling ABC News on Wednesday that the world is about to witness an “amazing two days” in diplomacy.
#BREAKING Trump says he’s not thinking about extending ceasefire with Iran, ABC News reporter says, citing him saying: ‘I think you’re going to be watching an amazing 2 days ahead’ pic.twitter.com/DovAQ0obiv
— Anadolu English (@anadoluagency) April 15, 2026
The President, speaking via telephone to ABC’s Chief Washington Correspondent Jonathan Karl, indicated that the current two-week ceasefire—set to expire on April 21—may not even require an extension. “I’m not thinking about extending it. I don’t believe it will be necessary,” Mr. Trump said, suggesting that a permanent resolution to the weeks-long conflict is within reach.
🗣️ U.S. President Donald Trump (@realDonaldTrump) to ABC News:
– I am not thinking of extending the ceasefire with Iran.
– I believe reaching an agreement with Iran is preferable because it will enable them to rebuild.
– I believe the next two days will be eventful.
— This Is Beirut (@ThisIsBeirut_) April 15, 2026
The President’s comments come as the “Islamabad Talks” remain the focal point of global attention. Following a marathon 21-hour session at the Serena Hotel over the weekend, which saw Vice President JD Vance lead the American delegation, the diplomatic momentum appears to have shifted back to the Pakistani capital.
Observers believe the current diplomatic thaw follows a period of extreme volatility. Just weeks ago, the Trump administration had imposed a total naval blockade on Iranian ports and the Strait of Hormuz, with the President threatening to “blow up the whole country” if Tehran did not come to the table.
However, the tone has shifted significantly since the April 8 ceasefire announcement. In a surprising departure from traditional policy, Mr. Trump recently floated the idea of a “joint venture” between the US and Iran to secure the Strait of Hormuz.
According to an ABC reporter on X, Donald Trump says the outcome could go either way but a deal would be better for rebuilding
— First Squawk (@FirstSquawk) April 15, 2026
“We’re thinking of doing it as a joint venture,” President Trump told ABC News earlier this week. “It’s a way of securing it—also securing it from lots of other people.”
The Role of Pakistan
The role of Pakistan as a neutral arbiter has proven pivotal as Islamabad has successfully hosted the highest-level direct engagement between the two adversaries since the 1979 revolution. While the initial round of talks reportedly stalled over Iran’s nuclear ambitions and the precise terms of lifting the US naval blockade, the President’s latest remarks suggest that the “10-point proposal” mediated by Pakistani officials has provided a workable framework.
“You’re going to be watching an amazing two days ahead. I really do [believe that],” the President stated during the phone interview, adding that the “maximum pressure” campaign had finally brought Tehran to a point of serious negotiation.
