Trump calls his critics “traitors” and defends his strategy against Iran

Today, US President Donald Trump defended his strategy in the war with Iran, attacking critics and skeptics, describing them as “all traitors,” after a second round of talks with Iran was cast into doubt, following the US Navy’s seizure of an Iranian cargo ship near the Strait of Hormuz.

Trump said that Vice President J.D. Vance, his son-in-law Jared Kushner, and envoy Steve Witkoff were going to Islamabad on Monday, where Pakistani officials were preparing the venue for the talks.

However, the Iranians did not commit to holding a second round of negotiations with the United States, while Vance’s motorcade was later seen at the White House.

Trump added that it was “extremely unlikely” that the ceasefire would be renewed before it expires at 0000 GMT on Wednesday (8 p.m. Tuesday, US EST).

In the same context, Israel and Lebanon announced that they will participate in a new round of talks in Washington on Thursday, in continuation of the first direct diplomatic talks between them in decades.