The US president sat in front of the “Squawk Box” cameras this morning and left a message that echoes as an existential threat. “We have taken out their navy, we have taken out their air force, we have taken out their leaders”, Trump declared about Iran. “I think they have no choice”. The phrase was his calling card for what is coming.

The intention to keep bombing was explicit. “I expect to be bombing, because I think that is a better attitude to go in with. The military is raring to go”, he said when asked if he would extend the ceasefire set to expire tomorrow. The message is clear: the power of destruction is ready, it only takes the president giving the order.

The language is not new but this time it has operational backing. For weeks he has insinuated he can annihilate civilian infrastructure, destroy power plants, water facilities, and bridges. Today he confirmed the United States is “raring to go”. It is no longer campaign rhetoric. It is a declaration from power, with the USS Spruance in the Gulf of Oman and the naval blockade active.

Hours later, unexpected turn. At the request of Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Field Marshal Asim Munir, Trump extended the ceasefire “until Iran’s leaders present a unified proposal”. Official justification: the Iranian government is “seriously fractured”. JD Vance, who was expected to travel to Islamabad today, canceled the flight at the last moment.