Trump tentatively making peace with Iran, but potential future strikes remain as leverage

"If they don't agree, the bombing starts, and it will be, sadly, at a much higher level and intensity than it was before."

Trump has long panned his peace negotiators getting on a long trek to the Middle East for merely exchanging ceasefire or peace proposals, repeating many times in the past week that talks with him and his administration can be done "telephonically" for now.

"I think we'll do it" over the phone, Trump has said.

"Based on the request of Pakistan and other Countries, the tremendous Military Success that we have had during the Campaign against the Country of Iran and, additionally, the fact that Great Progress has been made toward a Complete and Final Agreement with Representatives of Iran, we have mutually agreed that, while the Blockade will remain in full force and effect, Project Freedom (The Movement of Ships through the Strait of Hormuz) will be paused for a short period of time to see whether or not the Agreement can be finalized and signed," Trump wrote Tuesday night on Truth Social.

Trump has previously said he would be open to traveling to Pakistan to sign a formal agreement, citing the role of Pakistani defense chief Asim Munir in helping bring the two sides together.

"They should check themselves before they wreck themselves in the direction that they're going," Rubio told reporters, adding that it is difficult to get a full read on Iran's scattered and in-hiding leadership because some of the leftover regime hardliners are "insane in the brain."

Trump declined to define what would lead to renewed military operations against Iran, saying Tuesday, "They know what not to do."