'They want Strait open… we blow up rest of their country': Trump on Iran
Trump’s remarks come amid rising tensions in the Middle East over the ongoing US-Israel-Iran war under a fragile, extended ceasefire.
by Zee Media Bureau · Zee NewsUS President Donald Trump on Wednesday claimed that Iran does not want the Strait of Hormuz closed, as it would cost the country around $500 million a day in lost revenue. He said Iran was only talking about closing the strait to “save face.”
In a post on Truth Social, Trump wrote, "Iran doesn’t want the Strait of Hormuz closed, they want it open so they can make $500 Million Dollars a day (which is, therefore, what they are losing if it is closed!). They only say they want it closed because I have it totally blockaded (closed!), so they merely want to “save face.” People approached me four days ago, saying, “Sir, Iran wants to open up the Strait, immediately.” But if we do that, there can never be a Deal with Iran, unless we blow up the rest of their Country, their leaders included!"
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Trump’s statement comes hours after he extended the deadline for the US-Iran ceasefire.
“Based on the fact that the Government of Iran is seriously fractured… we have been asked to hold our attack on the country of Iran until such time as their leaders and representatives can come up with a unified proposal,” Trump said.
“I have therefore directed our military to continue the blockade… and will therefore extend the ceasefire until such time as their proposal is submitted, and discussions are concluded, one way or the other,” he added.
Meanwhile, Iran has reportedly declined to participate in the second round of peace talks scheduled to be held in Pakistan.
Senior Iranian officials said that no delegation from Iran has gone to Islamabad, indicating that they will not take part in the talks.
“No delegation from Iran has gone to Islamabad, Pakistan; neither a main nor a subsidiary delegation; neither primary nor secondary,” Iran’s PressTV quoted senior officials as saying.
Trump’s remarks come amid rising tensions in the Middle East over the ongoing US-Israel-Iran war under a fragile, extended ceasefire. The war began after Washington and Tel Aviv launched a joint surprise attack on Iran on February 28, killing Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei along with several high-level government officials.
Iran responded with equal intensity, targeting US bases in the Gulf region and blockading the Strait of Hormuz, a critical route through which over 20 percent of the world’s oil supply passes daily.
After nearly six weeks of conflict, Trump announced a ceasefire following 39 days of fighting and proposed negotiations with Iran, with a temporary two-week ceasefire agreed around April 7-8.
The first round of peace talks, held in Islamabad on April 11-12, failed to produce a breakthrough, with Trump stating that Iran refused to agree to nuclear dismantlement.