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

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

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.

Leave a Comment





Latest News Stories

Groups call on Canada to safeguard national security, combat expansive crime

Groups call on Canada to safeguard national security, combat expansive crime

By Bethany BlankleyThe Center Square Two Canadian groups have called on the Canadian government to strengthen border security, highlighting failures to crack down on drug trafficking and illicit trade. While...
montgomery county Graphic Logo.2

County Donates $30,000 for Urgent Electrical Repairs at Fairgrounds

Montgomery County Board Meeting | Jan. 13, 2026 Article Summary: Recognizing critical infrastructure needs, the County Board voted to donate $30,000 from coal royalty funds to the Montgomery County Fair...

Everyday Economics: The jobs report mirage: Hiring looks fine until revisions hit

By Orphe DivounguyThe Center Square Last week’s jobs report said the U.S. added 130,000 jobs in January. But the more consequential news landed in the fine print: the Bureau of...
This family business paid $200,000 in tariffs last year, but won't cut corners

This family business paid $200,000 in tariffs last year, but won’t cut corners

By Brett RowlandThe Center Square La Tienda has been delivering the best of Spanish cuisine to Americans for three decades, but the task has become more expensive after President Donald...
27 members of TdA, anti-Tren members charged in New York

27 members of TdA, anti-Tren members charged in New York

By Bethany BlankleyThe Center Square An additional 27 members of Venezuelan transnational criminal organizations, Tren de Aragua and its splinter faction, anti-Tren, have been indicted in New York in an...
montgomery county Graphic Logo.4

Montgomery County Board Approves $315,000 for New Dump Truck, Advances Infrastructure Projects

Montgomery County Board Meeting | Jan. 13, 2026 Article Summary: The Montgomery County Board authorized the purchase of a new tandem dump truck and approved several engineering agreements to address road...
Litchfield Brush Fire_5494

Fire Department Responds to Brush Fire

The Litchfield Fire Department responded to a brush fire on 15th Avenue on Friday afternoon. Mutual aid was called for but not needed as crews brought the fire under control....
Illinois Quick Hits: Bills filed to create small business accounts

Illinois Quick Hits: Bills filed to create small business accounts

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Democratic state Sen. Doris Turner, D-Springfield, and Republican state Rep Amy Elik, R-Alton, have filed legislation to...
Taxpayers funding $52.8M Route 9 upgrade; residents raise safety concerns

Taxpayers funding $52.8M Route 9 upgrade; residents raise safety concerns

By Catrina Barker | The Center Square contributorThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Illinois is set to receive $52.8 million in federal taxpayer funding to overhaul roughly 6 miles...
Report: ‘Lawfare’ used to enforce ‘woke’ policies outside legislative process

Report: ‘Lawfare’ used to enforce ‘woke’ policies outside legislative process

By Tate MillerThe Center Square A new report released by Alliance for Consumers shows how the American Left has been pushing its agenda through what it calls “lawfare,” enforcing “woke”...
Climate and energy experts praise Trump’s Endangerment Finding repeal

Climate and energy experts praise Trump’s Endangerment Finding repeal

By Tate MillerThe Center Square Climate and energy experts have praised President Donald Trump’s recent elimination of former President Barack Obama’s Endangerment Finding, with several noting the freedom the action...
Taxpayer group urges Trump, Congress to confront rising federal debt

Taxpayer group urges Trump, Congress to confront rising federal debt

By Tom JoyceThe Center Square A national taxpayer advocacy group is calling on President Donald Trump and Congress to address the nation’s rising debt, warning that interest payments and long-term...
WATCH/EXCLUSIVE: Bill limits governor's emergency powers

WATCH/EXCLUSIVE: Bill limits governor’s emergency powers

By Madeline ShannonThe Center Square The governor’s ability to act unilaterally during states of emergency would be limited, if a new California bill becomes law. Assembly Bill 1835, introduced by...
U.S. colleges report $5.2B in foreign funds for 2025

U.S. colleges report $5.2B in foreign funds for 2025

By Esther WickhamThe Center Square American colleges and universities have received $5.2 billion in foreign gifts and contracts in 2025, according to data from the U.S. Department of Education. The...
U.S. farm bill drops, outlines 5-year funding

U.S. farm bill drops, outlines 5-year funding

By Thérèse BoudreauxThe Center Square The U.S. House Agriculture Committee dropped the text of the U.S. farm bill Friday, an 802-page package authorizing various nutrition, rural development and farm support...