President Donald Trump said Tuesday he expects U.S. military operations against Iran to resume imminently, as a fragile two-week ceasefire enters its final hours with no diplomatic agreement on the horizon.

"I expect to be bombing because I think that's a better attitude to go in with," Trump told CNBC's Squawk Box in morning remarks that sent shockwaves through already jittery financial markets. "We're ready to go. The military is raring."

The 14-day pause in hostilities, which both sides agreed to earlier this month amid mounting civilian casualties and regional instability, expires at midnight Wednesday. What was initially framed as a cooling-off period to allow for negotiations has yielded little tangible progress, according to sources familiar with the talks.

Diplomatic Window Closing

The temporary ceasefire came after three weeks of escalating U.S. airstrikes targeting Iranian military installations, following what the Pentagon described as Iranian-backed attacks on American personnel in the region. The pause was seen as a last-ditch effort to prevent the conflict from spiraling into a broader regional war.

But talks between U.S. and Iranian officials, conducted indirectly through intermediaries in Oman, have reportedly stalled over fundamental disagreements. Iran has demanded a complete lifting of economic sanctions and security guarantees, while the Trump administration insists on strict limitations to Iran's military capabilities and regional influence.

Trump's comments Tuesday suggest the White House has little faith that a breakthrough will materialize in the remaining hours. His framing of military readiness as "a better attitude" reflects a negotiating posture that critics say prioritizes shows of force over sustained diplomacy.

Regional Anxiety Mounts

The prospect of renewed bombing has sent tremors through Middle Eastern capitals already on edge. Oil prices jumped nearly four percent in early trading Tuesday, with Brent crude climbing above $95 per barrel on fears that expanded conflict could disrupt shipping lanes through the Strait of Hormuz, through which roughly one-fifth of global oil supply passes.

Iraqi officials, whose country hosts both U.S. troops and Iranian-aligned militias, have called for restraint. "We are caught in the middle of a fire we did not light," said a senior Iraqi diplomat who spoke on condition of anonymity. "Every bomb that falls makes our situation more impossible."

European allies have urged both sides to extend the ceasefire and continue negotiations. French President Emmanuel Macron spoke with Trump by phone Monday evening, pressing for more time for diplomatic efforts, according to a readout from the Élysée Palace.

Domestic Political Calculations

Trump's aggressive rhetoric also plays to his political base as he navigates a contentious re-election campaign. His supporters have long favored a hardline approach toward Iran, and the president appears to be betting that projecting strength will resonate with voters concerned about American credibility abroad.

But military analysts warn that resuming strikes could carry significant risks. Iran has sophisticated air defense systems and could retaliate against U.S. assets or allies in the region. There are also concerns about civilian casualties, which have already drawn international condemnation and complicated America's relationships with key partners.

"The president is playing a dangerous game," said retired General Mark Hertling, former commander of U.S. Army Europe. "Military action without a clear strategic endgame rarely produces the outcomes we hope for."

What Comes Next

As the Wednesday deadline approaches, all eyes are on whether either side will blink. Some analysts believe Trump's comments may be a negotiating tactic designed to pressure Iran into making concessions at the eleventh hour. Others see them as genuine preparation for renewed military operations.

Iranian officials have remained largely silent in recent days, though state media has broadcast footage of military exercises and aired defiant statements from hardline clerics. The government in Tehran faces its own domestic pressures, with conservatives demanding it stand firm against American threats while ordinary Iranians, already suffering under sanctions, fear the humanitarian toll of expanded warfare.

For families living in border regions and major Iranian cities, the uncertainty is agonizing. Aid organizations have reported increased displacement as civilians flee areas they fear will be targeted if bombing resumes.

The next 24 hours will determine whether this fragile pause was merely a brief respite or the beginning of a genuine off-ramp from conflict. Trump's words Tuesday suggest he has already made his choice.