Blockade will not be lifted until an agreement with Iran is reached: Donald Trump

Will not negotiate under any pressure – Iran

Washington DC (USA) / Tehran (Iran) – US President Donald Trump announced that the United States will not lift the blockade on Iranian ports until an agreement is reached with Iran. “This blockade, which began a week ago, is completely devastating Iran. The United States is far ahead in this conflict,” he said. In response, Iran’s parliamentary speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf stated in a post that Trump is trying to create conditions where Iran would be forced to yield under pressure or give a pretext to resume war by breaking the ceasefire. “Iran will not negotiate under any coercive pressure,” he said.

The two-week ceasefire between the US and Iran is set to end on 22 April. Pakistan has invited Iran for a second round of talks, but Iran has declined. Meanwhile, US Vice President JD Vance is expected to visit Islamabad.

According to a report by The New York Times, citing two Iranian officials, an Iranian delegation may arrive in Islamabad for talks; however, Ghalibaf has set a condition that Iran will participate only if Vice President JD Vance is also present.

Iranian military vows response to US threats

Commander of Iran’s Joint Military Command, Ali Abdollahi, stated that Iran’s armed forces are united and ready to respond swiftly, decisively, and forcefully to any enemy action or threat. He also claimed that Iran’s continuous missile and drone attacks forced the US and Israel to seek a ceasefire.

Xi Jinping calls for opening of Strait of Hormuz

China’s President Xi Jinping, during a phone call with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, emphasized that the Strait of Hormuz must remain open for normal maritime traffic. China imports around 40% of its oil through this route. Reports suggest China currently has several months of energy reserves, but a prolonged global economic slowdown could affect it.

Missile-related chemicals found on seized Iranian vessel; Nikki Haley claims

US Republican leader Nikki Haley claimed that an Iranian vessel named “Tuska” was carrying chemical cargo and was intercepted by US forces in the Gulf of Oman. The ship was allegedly transporting chemicals from China to Iran for missile production. She stated that China’s military support to Iran is now a reality that cannot be ignored.

US turns back 27 vessels in the Strait of Hormuz

According to the US military, since the blockade on vessels traveling to and from Iranian ports and coastal regions began, American forces have forced 27 ships to turn back or redirect toward Iranian ports.