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Trump has no intention of extending a ceasefire with Iran, according to the ABC network

U.S. President Donald Trump attacked Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni on Tuesday for his recent defense of Pope Leon XIV and his refusal to participate in the Iranian war.

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Donald Trump in the White House. Photo: EFE.

U.S. President Donald Trump has told ABC TV that he has no intention of extending the ceasefire between his country and Iran. He has made these statements amid a fragile two-week truce. 

"President Trump told me today that he does not intend to extend the ceasefire. He does not think it necessary," wrote ABC's chief correspondent in Washington, X. Jonathan Karl.

Karl said the president told him, "I think you'll see two wonderful days. I really think. "

The journalist asked him if he would end a war agreement that began after the US-Israel attack on Iran on February 28.

"I think it would be a hobel to close with the deal, because that's how they can rebuild. They have another regime now. No matter what happens from now on, we've destroyed the radicals," the president replied.

Hours earlier, the Republican leader told Fox News that his war with Iran "is nearing an end," as Tehran wants to reach an agreement quickly.

Last Saturday, in Islamabad, the first round of negotiations between Iran and the US ended without agreement, and Pakistan plans to hold a second round at the end of this week or the beginning of next week.  "Things are going in the right direction and the delegations are likely to have a second round of talks at the end of the week or the beginning of next week," a diplomatic source confirmed to the agencies on Tuesday on condition of anonymity.

Trump lashes out at Meloni and Pope Leon XIV

Meanwhile, US President Donald Trump attacked Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni on Tuesday for his recent defense of Pope Leon XIV and his refusal to participate in the Iranian war.

"What is unacceptable is him because he doesn't mind Iran having a nuclear weapon that would destroy Italy in two minutes if he had a chance," the Republican explained in a telephone interview with 'Corriere della Sera'.

As Meloni said, "when there are friends or allies, especially if they're strategic, you have to have the courage to say it when they disagree," and that's what he did.

The president had a good relationship with the Italian leader, but he has stated that "they haven't spoken for a long time, it's very different" from what he thought Meloni, in his words, "is no longer the same person," the Republican has replied. 

Trump has also increased criticism ofthe pope , which he said "doesn't understand" what's going on with Iran. "He has no idea what's going on. He doesn't understand that 42,000 protesters were killed in Iran last month," he said.

 

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Paris (FRA), 17/04/2026.- (L-R) Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, Britain's Prime Minister Keir Starmer, France's President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz give a joint statement after an international summit to restore freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz, at the Elysee Palace, in Paris, France, 17 April 2026. (Francia, Reino Unido) EFE/EPA/MICHEL EULER / POOL MAXPPP OUT
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The EU says the opening of Ormuz is good news but insists that travel must be free

"The imposition of tolls for transit would set a dangerous precedent," said the European Union's High Representative for Foreign Affairs, Kaja Kallas. On the other hand, in the context of the crisis and convened by France and the United Kingdom, 50 countries and international organizations have met in Paris. They have announced the launch of a "neutral" maritime mission to "assist and protect" ships passing through the Persian Gulf.

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