Trump warned he just gave away his leverage in Iran negotiations

President Donald Trump received a stern warning from a journalist covering the war in Iran during a segment on CNN on Tuesday. Barak Ravid, a journalist and Middle East expert for Axios, warned Trump during an interview on CNN's "The Arena" with Kasie Hunt that Trump had just given his leverage away in negotiations to end the war in Iran by announcing on social media that he had extended the ceasefire between the two countries. "We have been asked to hold our Attack on the Country of Iran until such time as their leaders and representatives can come up with a unified proposal," Trump wrote on Truth Social. "I have therefore directed our Military to continue the Blockade and, in all other respects, remain ready and able, and will therefore extend the Ceasefire until such time as their proposal is submitted, and discussions are concluded, one way or the other." Ravid warned Trump that the move could backfire as the U.S. delegation continues to negotiate an end to the conflict with officials in Pakistan. "He thinks that the military objectives have mostly been achieved and therefore the other objectives that still need to be achieved will be better achieved through a diplomatic deal, especially when it comes to Iran's nuclear program, its enrichment program, and its enriched uranium stockpiles," Ravid said about Trump's post. "I think this is the reason that President Trump just announced that he is extending the ceasefire indefinitely," he added. "I think this means that he wants a deal. The problem is that if you announce such a thing, you take away a lot of your leverage. And while the blockade will still continue, I'm not sure that the Iranians will now feel that there's a credible military threat. Therefore, I'm not sure it will lead to concessions."