WASHINGTON: US President Donald Trump has warned that Washington will keep its blockade on Iranian ports in place if ongoing negotiations fail to produce a peace agreement, while also hinting that the current ceasefire may not be renewed.
Speaking aboard Air Force One on Friday, Trump said the truce between the United States and Iran set to expire on Wednesday might not be extended. He made it clear that even if talks collapse, the maritime blockade would continue.
The comments come shortly after Iran reopened the Strait of Hormuz following a ceasefire linked to regional tensions involving Israel and Lebanon. However, Tehran has cautioned that it could shut the critical shipping route again if US pressure persists.
Despite some optimism from Washington, negotiations remain stalled due to major disagreements. Previous rounds of talks, including those held in Pakistan, ended without a breakthrough.
Trump expressed confidence that an agreement could still be reached, saying he believes a deal is likely. He also rejected earlier Iranian proposals to charge transit fees for ships passing through the Strait, stressing that no such tolls would be allowed.
In a post on his Truth Social platform, Trump noted that Chinese President Xi Jinping welcomed the reopening of the vital oil corridor. Trump added that his upcoming visit to Beijing next month could result in a “special” and potentially historic meeting.
The US president further claimed that a proposed settlement could involve transferring Iran’s enriched uranium to the United States. However, Iran’s foreign ministry has firmly rejected the idea, stating that its nuclear stockpile will not be moved abroad.
.
