In a post Monday on his Truth Social platform, Trump said Iran “wants the Strait of Hormuz open” to make $500 million a day.
He said Iran would lose that income if the strait were shut. Trump added that Iran’s claims it wants to close the strait are “only” to save face because he is “completely blockading” it. The remarks were seen as pointing to Iran’s move to reclose the strait a day after saying last week it would reopen it, citing a U.S. maritime blockade.
Trump also wrote that “a few days ago” people told him Iran wanted to open the strait immediately, but said no deal with Iran could be reached “unless we destroy the rest of the country, including their leadership.” His comments were interpreted as signaling the United States will keep its maritime blockade and continue counter-blockade measures around the strait.
The United States has imposed a maritime blockade since April 13 in response to Iran’s closure of the Strait of Hormuz, blocking all ship traffic to and from Iranian ports. U.S. Central Command said Sunday that 27 vessels had turned back since the blockade began.
Trump on Monday also unilaterally declared another extension of a ceasefire with Iran, while saying the maritime blockade and military readiness posture would remain in place.
Iran’s state broadcaster said it would not recognize the ceasefire extension, leaving uncertainty over whether the truce will hold and whether talks will resume.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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