US President Donald Trump has said he did not want to extend a ceasefire with Iran, adding the US was in a strong negotiating position and would end up with what he called a great deal.
"I don't want to do that. We don't have that much time," Trump told CNBC in an interview on Tuesday, when asked about the possibility of extending the ceasefire.
"We're going to end up with a great deal. I think they have no choice...We're in a very, very strong negotiating position," Trump said.
Trump was unclear in the interview with CNBC about whether he would extend the ceasefire if there is no progress in Pakistan.
"Iran can get themselves on a very good footing if they make a deal," he said.
Intercepting Chinese ship
Asked if he would carry out his previous threats to bomb Iran's bridges and power plants — something many analysts say could constitute war crimes — Trump said "it's not my choice, but it will also hurt them."
He said the United States had intercepted a ship carrying a "gift" to Iran from China as Tehran tries to restock its military during the ceasefire.
The ship had "a gift from China" which "wasn't very nice," Trump told CNBC. "I was a little surprised," he added, saying he thought he had an "understanding" with China's President Xi Jinping.
A week ago, Trump announced that Xi had assured him there would be no Chinese weapons deliveries to Iran, a close partner with Beijing for years.
Peace talks
A US delegation led by Vice President JD Vance was expected to leave shortly from Washington for Islamabad, which earlier this month hosted a first round of talks, ending without progress.
Trump is demanding Iran give up its uranium stockpile and end attempts to control the strategic Hormuz waterway used to transport Middle East oil and other commodities.
Despite being hit by weeks of US and Israeli bombing before a temporary ceasefire was declared, Iran has so far refused those conditions.
The ceasefire was due to expire late Wednesday in Washington, according to the White House.
