US President Donald Trump urged Iran to release eight women it is reportedly preparing to execute, saying it would be “a great start to our conversation”. This comes after Trump warned that the US was ready to “move forward militarily” as Iran talks remain in limbo in Pakistan.“To the Iranian leaders, who will soon be negotiating with my representatives: I would greatly appreciate the release of these women. I’m sure they would respect the fact that you did so. Please do them no harm! This would be a great start to our negotiations!!! Thank you for your attention to this matter,” he said in a post on Truth Social. The United States and Iran are expected to hold another round of ceasefire talks in Pakistan, according to two regional officials, although both sides have warned they are prepared to resume hostilities if the current two-week ceasefire breaks down without an agreement. Neither Washington nor Tehran have officially confirmed the talks scheduled in Islamabad. Iranian state media also denied reports that any delegation was already in the Pakistani capital.Trump said in an interview with CNBC that he was not in favor of extending the ceasefire, saying, “Well, I don’t want to do that.” He said time is limited, “We don’t have that much time,” and stressed that Iran has been given a choice and must come to the negotiating table.
