Trump Ramps Up Pressure on Iran Ahead of Ceasefire Deadline, Says He Won’t ‘Play Nice’ Anymore
Summary
- President Donald Trump said he is intensifying pressure on Iran through the Strait of Hormuz, the seizure of an Iranian cargo ship, and a maritime blockade.
- The report said the biggest issues in a second round of US-Iran talks are whether Iran can maintain its nuclear program and whether it must ship out nuclear materials, while the two sides remain far apart over lifting the maritime blockade.
- It said Trump’s firing on and seizure of an Iranian vessel is raising the possibility of a collapse in renewed negotiations and even a resumption of war by provoking Iran’s military.
Forecast Trend Report by Period
President Donald Trump is escalating pressure on Iran ahead of a ceasefire deadline, saying US forces fired on and seized an Iranian cargo ship near the Strait of Hormuz. Talks scheduled for April 20 remain uncertain, however, because Iran has said it will not negotiate unless the US lifts its maritime blockade.
Trump wrote on Truth Social on April 19 that the US intercepted an Iranian cargo vessel in the Gulf of Oman near the Strait of Hormuz as it tried to break the American maritime blockade and took control of it. He also said the ship’s engine room had been pierced, implying the US Navy fired on and seized the vessel.
If the sides fail to reach a deal again, Trump said he would “no longer play the nice guy.” He said Washington had made a “very fair and reasonable” offer and hoped Iran would accept it. Otherwise, he added, the US would destroy all of Iran’s power plants and bridges “instantly” and “easily.”
The US and Iran had appeared to be moving toward lower tensions after a ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon took effect on April 17 and Iran declared it would reopen the Strait of Hormuz. But Trump kept the maritime blockade on Iran in place, and Tehran called that a violation of the ceasefire agreement before closing Hormuz again.
Attention is now focused on a second round of US-Iran talks that have been reported as set for Islamabad. The main issues are whether Iran will be allowed to maintain its nuclear program and whether nuclear materials will be shipped out of the country. The US is seeking a complete Iranian nuclear dismantlement, while Iran is demanding that the maritime blockade be lifted as a condition for resuming talks. The gap between the two sides remains wide.
Trump’s firing on and seizure of the Iranian vessel could further inflame Iran’s military and derail renewed negotiations, some observers say. Axios reported that several Iranian officials believe Trump’s real intention may be to restart the war.
Park Su-rim, Hankyung.com reporter paksr365@hankyung.com
Korea Economic Daily
hankyung@bloomingbit.ioThe Korea Economic Daily Global is a digital media where latest news on Korean companies, industries, and financial markets.
