“No, I wouldn’t use it,” Trump told reporters at the White House, referring to nuclear weapons. “Why would I use a nuclear weapon when we’ve, in a very conventional way, decimated them without it?” he added, while also stating that such weapons “should never be allowed to be used by anybody.”

The remarks come after Trump earlier this month warned that Iran faced destruction, comments that drew scrutiny before a ceasefire was agreed and subsequently extended.

During the conflict, Vice President JD Vance said Washington was prepared to intensify its military response using capabilities not previously deployed, though the White House denied that nuclear weapons were under consideration.

Trump reiterated that his objective was to prevent Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons, saying he sought an Iran “without a nuclear weapon” that could threaten U.S. cities or regional stability. Tehran has consistently denied pursuing nuclear arms, and the International Atomic Energy Agency has said an atomic weapon was not imminent prior to the outbreak of hostilities.

The United States remains the only country to have used nuclear weapons in combat, during the final stages of World War II, when atomic bombs were dropped on Hiroshima and Nagasaki. Israel is widely believed to possess nuclear weapons but has not publicly confirmed their existence.

Trump’s statement appears to contrast with longstanding U.S. nuclear doctrine, which has not ruled out the potential use of nuclear weapons under certain conditions.

Previous administrations, including that of Barack Obama, have advocated for reducing nuclear risks while maintaining deterrence capabilities.

“We asked the Turks about it, we asked some other capitals,” Sybiha told reporters on Tuesday in comments cleared for release on Wednesday, indicating that Ukraine is seeking a neutral venue outside Russia and its close ally Belarus.

Sybiha said Kyiv would consider any location except Belarus or Russia for such a meeting, underscoring longstanding Ukrainian objections to holding talks in countries aligned with Moscow.

Belarus facilitated Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022 by allowing its territory to be used as a staging ground, a factor that has made it unacceptable to Kyiv as a diplomatic venue.

The Ukrainian leadership has repeatedly called for direct talks between Zelensky and Putin as a potential means to accelerate efforts toward a resolution of the conflict.

However, the Kremlin has previously stated that it is willing to host Zelensky in Moscow, a proposal the Ukrainian president has rejected.

Sybiha did not disclose Ankara’s response to the request but emphasized that Ukraine remains open to alternatives. “If another capital, besides Moscow and Belarus, organizes such a meeting, we will go,” he said.

Turkiye has previously positioned itself as a mediator in the conflict, maintaining diplomatic ties with both Kyiv and Moscow while hosting earlier rounds of negotiations.

Separately, Sybiha said he had exchanged written messages with Anita Orban, who is set to become Hungary’s foreign minister following the recent election victory of a new government in Budapest.

Trump on Tuesday indefinitely extended a two-week truce with Iran to allow more time for negotiations, while maintaining a U.S. blockade on Iranian ports.

Tehran has yet to formally respond to the extension.“The current regional situation stands at a critical juncture transitioning between war and peace; the paramount priority remains to make every effort to prevent a resumption of hostilities,” Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Guo Jiakun told a regular press briefing.

Guo did not directly address the specifics of the ceasefire extension but said Beijing would continue to play a “constructive” role in promoting stability in the region.

China has consistently called for de-escalation amid rising tensions linked to the conflict involving the United States and Iran, emphasizing diplomatic engagement and the protection of regional security.

The attack targeted a unit serving with the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon as it was traveling to an outpost isolated by ongoing hostilities between Israeli forces and Hezbollah, according to UN officials.

In a statement, Security Council members denounced the assault “in the strongest terms” and reaffirmed their full support for UNIFIL operations in the region. The council did not assign responsibility, though France has blamed Hezbollah for the attack.

The incident occurred on Saturday amid heightened tensions along the Lebanon-Israel border, where clashes have intensified in recent weeks. UNIFIL peacekeepers are mandated to monitor hostilities and support stability in southern Lebanon.

French authorities have not released further operational details about the ambush, while the United Nations has called for accountability and the protection of peacekeeping personnel under international law.

The attack underscores growing risks faced by UN forces operating in volatile regions conflict zones, as diplomatic efforts continue to prevent further escalation in Lebanon.

Major General Diodato Abagnara, commander of the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL), paid tribute to Florian Montorio during a ceremony at Beirut airport ahead of the repatriation of his remains to France.Montorio, 39, was killed on Sunday when a UNIFIL patrol clearing explosive ordnance came under small-arms fire near Ghanduriyah in southern Lebanon.

Three other peacekeepers were wounded, including two seriously, according to UNIFIL.“We are here to honour you,” Abagnara said during the ceremony, praising the soldier’s service and sacrifice and emphasizing that his contribution would endure through the mission’s ongoing work.

UNIFIL said the patrol had been attempting to restore access to isolated positions when it was targeted by what it described as non-state actors. The group Hezbollah has been alleged to be involved. The mission has launched an internal investigation and urged Lebanese authorities to identify and prosecute those responsible.

The ceremony was attended by senior officials including France’s ambassador to Lebanon, Hervé Magro, and UNIFIL Chief of Staff Paul Sanzey, who highlighted France’s longstanding role in the peacekeeping mission.

France has been a key contributor to UNIFIL since its establishment in 1978, deploying troops for patrols, demining operations and support to Lebanese armed forces in the volatile south region.Montorio was posthumously awarded UN and Lebanese Army medals in recognition of his service.

He is survived by his wife and two daughters.The incident underscores ongoing risks faced by peacekeepers in southern Lebanon, where tensions persist despite the absence of large-scale hostilities in recent years.

Speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One en route to Washington from Phoenix, Arizona, Trump said the naval blockade on Iranian ports would remain in place regardless of whether the truce is extended. “Maybe I won’t extend it,” he said, adding that without a deal, military operations could resume.

At the same time, Trump struck an optimistic tone about ongoing diplomacy, telling reporters that developments in the Middle East were “going very well” and suggesting a resolution was close. “I think it’s going to happen,” he said, referring to a prospective agreement.

In separate remarks, Trump said there were “no sticking points” remaining in negotiations, describing a deal as “very close,” though he did not provide details on the substance of the talks.The ceasefire, which has paused hostilities between U.S. and Iranian forces, remains fragile amid continued military pressure, including the blockade targeting Iranian ports.

The outcome of negotiations in the coming days is expected to determine whether the truce evolves into a longer-term settlement or collapses, potentially triggering renewed escalation.

Speaking at a Turning Point USA event, Vance said distrust between Washington and Tehran remains a fundamental obstacle to any durable agreement. “There is a lot of, of course, mistrust between Iran and the United States of America.

You are not going to solve that problem overnight,” he said, while adding that Iranian negotiators appeared willing to reach a deal.Vance, who participated in recent negotiations held in Pakistan, said he was cautiously optimistic about the trajectory of talks.

“I feel very good about where we are,” he said, signaling confidence in ongoing diplomatic efforts despite recent setbacks.Donald Trump said on Tuesday that discussions aimed at ending the Iran war could resume in Pakistan within days, following the collapse of negotiations over the weekend.

The breakdown prompted Washington to impose a blockade on Iranian ports, escalating economic and military pressure on Tehran.A two-week ceasefire between US and Iranian forces remains in effect, with one week remaining, offering a limited window for diplomatic engagement.

The pause in hostilities follows weeks of intensified conflict that began on February 28, when US and Israeli forces launched strikes on Iran.Tehran retaliated with attacks targeting Israel and Gulf states hosting US military bases, expanding the geographic scope of the conflict.

Subsequent US-Israeli operations inside Iran, along with Israeli strikes in Lebanon, have resulted in significant casualties and widespread displacement, according to official accounts.

The evolving situation underscores the complexity of negotiations, with diplomatic momentum constrained by entrenched mistrust and ongoing military developments.

Two Pakistani officials, speaking on condition of anonymity, said Islamabad has offered to again facilitate negotiations, although the final venue would depend on whether Washington or Tehran request an alternative location.

They described the initial round of talks as part of an ongoing diplomatic process rather than a one-off effort.The proposal follows marathon negotiations held on April 12 that ended without a breakthrough but were marked by what U.S. Vice President JD Vance described as “some progress,” particularly on Washington’s demands regarding Iran’s nuclear program.

In an interview with Fox News, Vance said Iranian negotiators had moved closer to U.S. positions on the removal of nuclear material and mechanisms to prevent future uranium enrichment, but were unable to finalize a deal, suggesting decisions may require approval from authorities in Tehran.

“There really is, I think, a grand deal to be had here,” Vance said, adding that the next step rests with Iran.The White House did not confirm whether preparations for a second round are underway. Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt reiterated that U.S. negotiating positions remain unchanged and pointed to increased pressure on Iran following the implementation of a U.S. naval blockade.

Multiple sources familiar with the discussions said both sides are considering further in-person talks aimed at reaching an agreement before the ceasefire expires next week. While Islamabad remains a leading candidate to host the meeting, other locations such as Geneva are also under consideration, with timing still undecided but potentially within days.

A diplomat involved in mediation efforts said there is growing alignment on holding another round, though details on the level of representation and agenda remain unresolved.U.S. President Donald Trump said earlier that Iran had reached out seeking a deal, underscoring continued engagement between the two sides even as tensions persist.

Speaking in an interview with Fox News on Monday, Vance said the United States had clearly defined its “red lines” during negotiations held over the weekend in Pakistan, where he led a U.S. delegation in discussions with Iranian officials.“I really think the ball is in the Iranian court, because we put a lot on the table,” Vance said, adding that the U.S. position leaves no room for flexibility on key issues.

He identified two core demands: U.S. control over Iran’s enriched uranium stockpile and the establishment of a robust verification mechanism to ensure Tehran does not develop nuclear weapons capability. “It’s one thing for the Iranians to say that they’re not going to have a nuclear weapon.

It’s another thing for us to put in place the mechanism to ensure that’s not going to happen,” he said.The talks in Islamabad marked the highest-level engagement between the two sides in years but ended without an agreement to halt the more than five-week conflict involving U.S. and Israeli forces against Iran.

Vance said that, as part of a two-week ceasefire agreed last week, Washington also expects Iran to fully reopen the Strait of Hormuz, a critical global shipping route that has been effectively closed by Iranian forces.

Despite the lack of a deal, both sides have indicated a willingness to continue discussions, with diplomatic efforts ongoing through intermediaries to prevent further escalation.

Zelensky has conducted a series of high-level visits to Gulf and regional states, including Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Jordan and Syria, positioning Kyiv as a provider of security expertise in a region where influence has often tilted toward Russia.

Analysts say Ukraine’s battlefield experience, particularly in countering Iranian-designed drones used by Russian forces, has enabled it to offer specialized anti-drone capabilities abroad.

Ukrainian officials said more than 200 experts were deployed to multiple countries in response to escalating drone activity during the regional conflict.

Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiga said Moscow was reacting negatively to Kyiv’s expanding ties in the Gulf, accusing Russia and Iran of spreading disinformation aimed at undermining Ukraine’s role in the region.

The diplomatic push marks a shift from 2022, when Kyiv relied heavily on Western partners for military assistance following Russia’s invasion. The proliferation of drone warfare has since allowed Ukraine to develop niche capabilities that are now in demand internationally.

While details of the security agreements remain undisclosed, analysts say Ukraine may seek financial backing from Gulf states to scale its defense technologies. Some observers suggest Kyiv could leverage these partnerships to secure investment and sustain its military innovation sector.

However, analysts caution that the outreach has yet to produce a strategic breakthrough. Many Middle Eastern states have maintained balanced relations with both Kyiv and Moscow, avoiding sanctions on Russia while positioning themselves as mediators in the conflict.

The durability of Ukraine’s expanded role may also depend on the trajectory of the U.S.-Iran ceasefire and continued demand for its defense capabilities in the region.