President Donald Trump said U.S. attacks on Iran will likely resume should the ceasefire expire on Wednesday, as tensions over the critical Strait of Hormuz waterway threaten to again undermine peace efforts.
“Well, I expect to be bombing because I think that’s a better attitude to go in with,” Trump said in an interview on CNBC on Tuesday morning. “But we’re ready to go. I mean, the military is raring to go. They are absolutely incredible.”
White House negotiators led by Vice President JD Vance, meanwhile, are traveling to Pakistan on Tuesday for further negotiations to end the war, which kicked off with U.S. and Israeli strikes in February.
The status of the Strait of Hormuz is a major point of tension between the U.S. and Iran. Roughly 20 percent of the world’s oil transits through the waterway, and Iran effectively shuttered it after the first American attacks, sending gas prices skyrocketing.
Trump and Iranian officials announced on Friday that the strait would be reopened, in what seemed like a critical breakthrough in talks. But the situation quickly reverted after Trump insisted that a U.S. blockade on Iranian shipping would remain in effect, with Tehran responding by redoubling its own efforts to clamp down on the strait.
Trump again threatened to bomb civilian infrastructure in the country if Tehran didn’t take a “very fair and reasonable DEAL” in a Truth Social post over the weekend. In several Truth Social posts Tuesday morning, Trump also urged Iranian leaders to release a group of women who may soon be hanged, and defended his operations in Iran from critical media coverage and condemnation from Democrats.
Trump told CNBC he is unlikely to prolong the ceasefire, even if progress is made on a peace deal.
“They have to negotiate,” he said. “And you know, the one thing I’ll say is this. Iran can get themselves in a very good footing if they make a deal. They can make themselves into a strong nation again, a wonderful nation again.”
In the meantime, bombing civilian infrastructure remains on the table, Trump said.
“It’s not my choice, but it will also hurt them,” he said. “It’ll hurt them militarily. They use the bridges for their weapons, for their missile movements. You know, they’re trying to move the missiles because we’ve obliterated most of their missiles and they’re trying to move their missiles around even during the ceasefire.”
<img src="https://www.mtlblog.com/media-library/light-installations-from-montreal-s-welcome-to-wonder-trail.jpg?id=56220932&width=1200&height=800&coordinates=96%2C0%2C96%2C0"/><br/><br/><p>Christmas might be over, but Montreal’s winter lights scene is still glowing. And there's no better way to soak up the magic than with a free Valentine's Day stroll through downtown's illuminated trail.</p><p>With over 800,000 twinkling lights and nine elaborate installations, the aptly named "Welcome to Wonder" is a winter spectacle waiting to be explored. Whether you're heading out with your better half, best friends, or just on your own, this dreamy trail is worth checking out.</p><p>The series of displays, put together by Montréal Centre-Ville, takes folks through some of the city's most iconic spots. The walk takes about an hour, but it could go longer as you'll likely stop to snap a million photos along the way.</p><p>Over at Dorchester Square, you'll find glowing light spheres, an illuminated bridge, and even a pair of giant moose. Phillips Square is where you'll see the Birks building and The Bay shimmering in golden lights, with a glowing archway leading to a group of stunning deer sculptures. </p><blockquote class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/DDacuGPp50D/?img_index=6" data-instgrm-version="4" style="background:#FFF; border:0; border-radius:3px; box-shadow:0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width:658px; padding:0; width:99.375%; width:-webkit-calc(100% - 2px); width:calc(100% - 2px);">
<div style="padding:8px;">
<div style="background:#F8F8F8; line-height:0; margin-top:40px; padding:50% 0; text-align:center; width:100%;">
<div style="background:url(data:image/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAACwAAAAsCAMAAAApWqozAAAAGFBMVEUiIiI9PT0eHh4gIB4hIBkcHBwcHBwcHBydr+JQAAAACHRSTlMABA4YHyQsM5jtaMwAAADfSURBVDjL7ZVBEgMhCAQBAf//42xcNbpAqakcM0ftUmFAAIBE81IqBJdS3lS6zs3bIpB9WED3YYXFPmHRfT8sgyrCP1x8uEUxLMzNWElFOYCV6mHWWwMzdPEKHlhLw7NWJqkHc4uIZphavDzA2JPzUDsBZziNae2S6owH8xPmX8G7zzgKEOPUoYHvGz1TBCxMkd3kwNVbU0gKHkx+iZILf77IofhrY1nYFnB/lQPb79drWOyJVa/DAvg9B/rLB4cC+Nqgdz/TvBbBnr6GBReqn/nRmDgaQEej7WhonozjF+Y2I/fZou/qAAAAAElFTkSuQmCC); display:block; height:44px; margin:0 auto -44px; position:relative; top:-22px; width:44px;">
</div>
</div>
<p style=" margin:8px 0 0 0; padding:0 4px;">
<a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/DDacuGPp50D/?img_index=6" style=" color:#000; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; line-height:17px; text-decoration:none; word-wrap:break-word;" target="_top">See on Instagram</a>
</p>
</div>
</blockquote><script async="" defer="" src="//platform.instagram.com/en_US/embeds.js"></script><p>And if you want that ultimate fairytale vibe, Victoria Square has a tunnel of glowing archways and 43 hanging light structures that'll transport you straight into a magical winter dream.</p><blockquote class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/DDdPBFsNq3e/?img_index=1" data-instgrm-version="4" style="background:#FFF; border:0; border-radius:3px; box-shadow:0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width:658px; padding:0; width:99.375%; width:-webkit-calc(100% - 2px); width:calc(100% - 2px);">
<div style="padding:8px;">
<div style="background:#F8F8F8; line-height:0; margin-top:40px; padding:50% 0; text-align:center; width:100%;">
<div style="background:url(data:image/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAACwAAAAsCAMAAAApWqozAAAAGFBMVEUiIiI9PT0eHh4gIB4hIBkcHBwcHBwcHBydr+JQAAAACHRSTlMABA4YHyQsM5jtaMwAAADfSURBVDjL7ZVBEgMhCAQBAf//42xcNbpAqakcM0ftUmFAAIBE81IqBJdS3lS6zs3bIpB9WED3YYXFPmHRfT8sgyrCP1x8uEUxLMzNWElFOYCV6mHWWwMzdPEKHlhLw7NWJqkHc4uIZphavDzA2JPzUDsBZziNae2S6owH8xPmX8G7zzgKEOPUoYHvGz1TBCxMkd3kwNVbU0gKHkx+iZILf77IofhrY1nYFnB/lQPb79drWOyJVa/DAvg9B/rLB4cC+Nqgdz/TvBbBnr6GBReqn/nRmDgaQEej7WhonozjF+Y2I/fZou/qAAAAAElFTkSuQmCC); display:block; height:44px; margin:0 auto -44px; position:relative; top:-22px; width:44px;">
</div>
</div>
<p style=" margin:8px 0 0 0; padding:0 4px;">
<a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/DDdPBFsNq3e/?img_index=1" style=" color:#000; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; line-height:17px; text-decoration:none; word-wrap:break-word;" target="_top">See on Instagram</a>
</p>
</div>
</blockquote><script async="" defer="" src="//platform.instagram.com/en_US/embeds.js"></script><p>Organizers of the project, which launched back in November, say the light displays were put up to add "warmth" to the longest season of the year. And given the<a href="https://www.mtlblog.com/tag/montreal-weather" target="_blank"> weather we've been having</a>, every bulb counts. </p><p><span></span>"With the downtown winter lights, we're adding a bit of warmth and magic to the long winter nights. We're especially proud to showcase our public spaces and downtown heritage," noted Glenn Castanheira, general director of Montréal Centre-Ville in a press release. "This winter, any excuse is a good one to stroll under the glowing lights while enjoying everything downtown has to offer."</p><p>But why stop at just the lights? You can also make a night of it by grabbing a warm drink from a cozy café, browsing a few downtown boutiques, or capping things off with a <a href="https://www.mtlblog.com/montreal-restaurants-romantic-2025" target="_blank">romantic dinner</a>. </p><p><span></span>The illuminated trail will be sticking around until March, so if you can't make it on Valentine's Day, you still have time to take it all in.</p><p>To help plan your visit, a detailed map of the trail is available, outlining all the must-see stops along the route.</p><p class="shortcode-media shortcode-media-rebelmouse-image">
<img alt="A map of Welcome to Wonder's Montreal light displays." class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="4c1ba99ab192d2c5609a1b8411c18ef7" data-rm-shortcode-name="rebelmouse-image" id="6a329" loading="lazy" src="https://www.mtlblog.com/media-library/a-map-of-welcome-to-wonder-s-montreal-light-displays.png?id=56220350&width=980"/>
<small class="image-media media-caption" placeholder="Add Photo Caption...">Welcome to Wonder features nine elaborate displays across town. </small><small class="image-media media-photo-credit" placeholder="Add Photo Credit...">Montréal Centre-Ville | Submitted to MTL Blog</small></p><h3>Welcome to Wonder</h3><br/><blockquote class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/DFEDYjWtpNb/" data-instgrm-version="4" style="background:#FFF; border:0; border-radius:3px; box-shadow:0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width:658px; padding:0; width:99.375%; width:-webkit-calc(100% - 2px); width:calc(100% - 2px);">
<div style="padding:8px;">
<div style="background:#F8F8F8; line-height:0; margin-top:40px; padding:50% 0; text-align:center; width:100%;">
<div style="background:url(data:image/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAACwAAAAsCAMAAAApWqozAAAAGFBMVEUiIiI9PT0eHh4gIB4hIBkcHBwcHBwcHBydr+JQAAAACHRSTlMABA4YHyQsM5jtaMwAAADfSURBVDjL7ZVBEgMhCAQBAf//42xcNbpAqakcM0ftUmFAAIBE81IqBJdS3lS6zs3bIpB9WED3YYXFPmHRfT8sgyrCP1x8uEUxLMzNWElFOYCV6mHWWwMzdPEKHlhLw7NWJqkHc4uIZphavDzA2JPzUDsBZziNae2S6owH8xPmX8G7zzgKEOPUoYHvGz1TBCxMkd3kwNVbU0gKHkx+iZILf77IofhrY1nYFnB/lQPb79drWOyJVa/DAvg9B/rLB4cC+Nqgdz/TvBbBnr6GBReqn/nRmDgaQEej7WhonozjF+Y2I/fZou/qAAAAAElFTkSuQmCC); display:block; height:44px; margin:0 auto -44px; position:relative; top:-22px; width:44px;">
</div>
</div>
<p style=" margin:8px 0 0 0; padding:0 4px;">
<a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/DFEDYjWtpNb/" style=" color:#000; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; line-height:17px; text-decoration:none; word-wrap:break-word;" target="_top">See on Instagram</a>
</p>
</div>
</blockquote><script async="" defer="" src="//platform.instagram.com/en_US/embeds.js"></script><p>Price: Free</p><p>When: Until March 10</p><p>Where: Nine downtown locations:</p><ul><li>Dorchester Square</li><li>Place du Canada</li><li>Mary Queen of the World Cathedral</li><li>McGill College Avenue / Place Ville Marie</li><li>Christ Church Cathedral</li><li>Square Phillips</li><li>Place Jean-Paul Riopelle</li><li>Square Victoria</li><li>Place Monseigneur-Charbonneau</li></ul><p><a href="https://montrealcentreville.ca/en/what-to-do/bienvenue-a-lemerveillement-downtowns-most-magical-winter-illuminations/" target="_blank">Montreal Centre-Ville website</a></p><em>Love this? Check out our <a href="https://www.mtlblog.com/notices/" target="_blank">MTL Blog noticeboard</a> for details on jobs, benefits, travel info and more!</em>
<em>AI tools may have been used to support the creation or distribution of this content; however, it has been carefully edited and fact-checked by a member of MTL Blog's Editorial team. For more information on our use of AI, please visit our <a href="https://www.mtlblog.com/editorial-standards" target="_blank">Editorial Standards page</a>.</em>
In Ukraine and Russia, where ballet is centrally important to culture, dancers have had their worlds upended by the Russian invasion. Source: CBS Own a…
