United States President Donald Trump on Monday indicated his willingness to meet Iranian leaders directly, as diplomatic efforts to sustain a fragile ceasefire between Washington and Iran approach a critical deadline. The two-week ceasefire is set to expire on Wednesday evening, raising concerns that hostilities could resume if no agreement is reached.

Speaking in an interview, Trump dismissed Tehran’s indication that it may boycott the latest round of negotiations scheduled in Islamabad. He stated that the United States remains open to dialogue and emphasized that meaningful engagement is necessary to achieve a lasting resolution. Trump added that he has no objection to personally participating in discussions if it could help advance peace efforts.

A senior US delegation, including Vice President JD Vance, special envoy Steve Witkoff, and advisor Jared Kushner, is expected to arrive in Pakistan as part of ongoing diplomatic initiatives. The talks are seen as a crucial opportunity to prevent escalation, although uncertainty remains over Iran’s participation.

Trump signaled skepticism about extending the ceasefire, describing such a move as unlikely without tangible progress. He warned that failure to reach an agreement could result in renewed conflict, underscoring the urgency of the negotiations.

At the core of the dispute is the long-standing issue of Iran’s nuclear ambitions. Trump reiterated that the United States considers it non-negotiable for Iran to permanently abandon any pursuit of nuclear weapons. He stressed that ensuring Iran does not develop such capabilities remains a central objective of US foreign policy.

Iranian officials, however, have criticized Washington’s stance, accusing the US administration of imposing excessive demands and shifting its position during negotiations. As the deadline approaches, the outcome of the talks could significantly influence regional stability and the future trajectory of US-Iran relations.