President Donald Trump warned Friday that military operations against Iran may restart if diplomatic negotiations collapse when the current ceasefire concludes next week, while maintaining that U.S. blockade measures in the region will continue regardless.
When questioned Friday evening about his plans should talks fail after the truce expires, Trump stated, “I don’t know. Maybe I won’t extend it, but the blockade is going to remain. But maybe I won’t extend it, so you’ll have a blockade and unfortunately we’ll have to start dropping bombs again.”
Despite the warning, Trump expressed optimism while speaking to journalists on Air Force One en route to Washington, saying “I think it’s going to happen,” when discussing the possibility of reaching an agreement.
Uncertainty continued Saturday regarding actual shipping access through the strategic waterway, as Tehran maintained control over the strait while determining which vessels could pass, and continued threatening closure if American blockade measures against Iranian vessels and ports persist.
Tehran’s Friday declaration regarding the reopening of the vital shipping channel, which handles 20% of global oil transport, occurred while a 10-day ceasefire between Israel and Iran-supported Hezbollah forces in Lebanon remained intact.
The conflict has resulted in casualties totaling at least 3,000 deaths in Iran, approximately 2,300 in Lebanon, 23 in Israel, and over a dozen across Gulf Arab nations. Additionally, thirteen American military personnel have lost their lives.
When asked about potential Iranian-managed restrictions or fees for Strait of Hormuz passage, President Trump firmly dismissed the concept.
“Nope. No way. No. Nope,” Trump responded. He emphasized that tolls combined with restrictions would be unacceptable. “No, they’re not going to be tolls.”
