Trump warns Iran over ceasefire and port blockade

Tensions between the United States and Iran escalated again on Saturday as President Donald Trump said the US may continue its blockade of Iranian ports and could resume military action if a long-term peace deal is not reached before the current ceasefire expires.

Speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One, Trump said the United States would maintain pressure on Iran and suggested that the ceasefire, set to expire on Wednesday, may not be extended. “Maybe I won’t extend it, but the blockade is going to remain,” he said, adding that military strikes could resume if negotiations fail.

The remarks come amid heightened regional tensions following a fragile ceasefire between Iran and the United States. Iran had briefly reopened the Strait of Hormuz, a critical global shipping route, after earlier diplomatic developments. However, Iranian officials warned that the waterway could be closed again if US naval restrictions continue.

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The Strait of Hormuz, through which nearly one-fifth of global oil and liquefied natural gas flows, remains a strategic chokepoint for global energy supplies. Any disruption in its operation has historically led to volatility in global oil markets.

Trump also claimed that China’s President Xi Jinping had welcomed the reopening of the waterway and suggested that a broader peace deal with Iran was “very close.” However, Iranian officials rejected US claims regarding the transfer of enriched uranium, calling such proposals unacceptable.

Iranian leaders stated that their nuclear stockpile would not be moved abroad and warned that any continued blockade of Iranian ports could trigger a full closure of the Strait of Hormuz.

The situation remains highly volatile as both sides continue to exchange warnings while diplomatic negotiations remain uncertain. Global markets are closely watching developments, given the potential impact on energy supplies and international trade routes.