US President Donald Trump admitted that the Strait of Hormuz remains closed because of the demands he made to Iran.
„They approached us and said they were ready to open the strait. And all my people were happy - everyone except me“, the US leader told reporters at the White House. adding that if the Strait of Hormuz is opened, Iran „will earn $500 million a day“.
„I don't want them to earn $500 million a day before they resolve this crisis. So it remains closed for me“, the American leader added.
Relations between Iran and the United States are in a state of extreme tension and a fragile truce, following a large-scale military conflict that began on February 28.
A temporary ceasefire, initially concluded for two weeks with the mediation of Pakistan, has been in effect since April 8, 2026. Although it was due to expire on April 22, President Donald Trump announced an extension of the ceasefire to allow time for a possible new Iranian proposal.
Iran blocked the Strait of Hormuz in response to the attacks, which led to a surge in oil prices above $ 100 per barrel.
On April 23, Trump ordered the US Navy to destroy any Iranian vessel that lays mines in the strait. The US has imposed a full naval blockade of Iranian ports, and Iran refuses to open the strait until the blockade is lifted.
The planned talks in Pakistan are at an impasse. Iran refuses to negotiate “under the shadow of threats“ and insists on permanent security guarantees.
The US is offering a 20-year moratorium on all nuclear activity, while Iran is only willing to agree to a 5-year one.
The situation remains critical, with analysts from the Brookings Institution and Al Jazeera warning that the likelihood of a resumption of full-scale hostilities is very high if the talks do not achieve a breakthrough in the coming days.