washington, April 21 -- President Donald Trump said he's not likely to extend the two-week ceasefire with Iran, increasing the urgency for negotiators to conclude a deal to end the war. Trump said in a Monday phone interview that the truce, which he announced on April 7, expires on "Wednesday evening Washington time" - possibly buying more time for negotiations. But the president also said it's "highly unlikely that I'd extend it" if no deal is reached before then. "I'm not going to be rushed into making a bad deal. We've got all the time in the world," the president said. In the interview, Trump reiterated that the Strait of Hormuz would stay blockaded for now, saying "the Iranians desperately want it opened. I'm not opening it until a deal is signed." Details about the next negotiating session, expected to take place in Pakistan, started to came into focus on Monday. Iran is also sending a team, according to people familiar with the plans who declined to be identified. Earlier, Tehran said it was hesitant to participate in further peace talks with the US. Vice President JD Vance is leaving later on Monday to resume negotiations, "either Tuesday night or Wednesday morning", Trump said. He is expected to be joined by Trump's son-in-law Jared Kushner and special envoy Steve Witkoff. The president sounded an optimistic note about the discussions, saying he would love to participate in person, but did not think it would be necessary. "There's going to be a meeting. They want a meeting, and they should want a meeting. And it can work out well," Trump said. At the same time, both sides sought to jockey for leverage ahead of negotiations. Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian posted on X that "deep historical mistrust in Iran towards US gov conduct remains" and declared that "Iranians do not submit to force". That message came after Trump said Iran would "be hit very hard" if no deal is reached. Trump's comments and Tehran's decision to dispatch negotiators represented fresh signals the two sides are continuing to work on a deal to end the war that began in late February, when the US and Israel struck Iran. Those attacks prompted Iranian forces to hit US bases in the region and destroy oil and gas infrastructure belonging to American allies in the Persian Gulf....