New Delhi, Apr 21: With a fragile truce set to expire on April 22, US President Donald Trump has doubled down on his administration’s hardline position, declaring that Washington will not ease its naval blockade of Iran until a comprehensive deal is reached with Tehran.
In a series of posts on his platform Truth Social, Trump said the blockade, imposed after failed negotiations earlier this month, was already having a decisive impact.
“The US will not lift its blockade on Iranian ports until a deal has been reached with Tehran,” he wrote, adding that the measures were “absolutely destroying Iran” and that the United States was winning the conflict “by a lot”.
The comments come at a moment of deep uncertainty. A temporary ceasefire agreed earlier in April is due to end tomorrow, on Wednesday, while a proposed second round of talks remains in doubt. Security has been tightened in Islamabad, but Vice President JD Vance has yet to depart Washington, and Iranian officials say they have not decided whether to attend.
Trump used his posts to push back against suggestions that he is being rushed into a diplomatic settlement. “I’m not going to let them rush the United States into making a Deal that is not as good as it could have been,” he wrote, insisting: “I am under no pressure whatsoever… Time is not my adversary.”
In a lengthy message, he framed the confrontation in sweeping historical terms, comparing it to major 20th-century conflicts. Listing the durations of the two world wars, Korea, Vietnam and Iraq, Trump argued critics were wrong to question the pace of his campaign against Iran.
“They like to say that I promised 6 weeks to defeat Iran,” he wrote. “Actually, from the Military standpoint, it was far faster than that.” He added that the outcome would “happen, relatively quickly,” but stressed that only a “RIGHT” deal would be acceptable after “47 years” of what he described as failed policies by previous administrations.
Trump also turned his fire inward, accusing domestic opponents of undermining US leverage. “The Democrats are doing everything possible to hurt the very strong position we are in,” he said, calling them “weak and pathetic… TRAITORS ALL”.
At the same time, he praised the US military campaign and its execution. “This is being perfectly executed… just a bigger, more complex operation,” he wrote, comparing it to previous US interventions.
He reiterated that military strength built during his first term, “including adding Space Force,” was now being used “properly and judiciously” to resolve the crisis.
Oil, shipping and blockade pressure
Trump also claimed that Iranian actions were indirectly benefiting the United States. “The Iranian leadership has forced hundreds of Ships toward the United States… to get their Oil, Thank you very much!” he wrote, pointing to increased energy flows toward American ports.
On the ground, the blockade appears to be tightening. According to US Central Command, American forces have already forced at least 27 vessels to turn back since operations began earlier this month.
The US has also escalated enforcement. Over the weekend, American forces seized an Iranian-flagged cargo ship attempting to breach the blockade, the first such interception of the conflict, a move that Tehran condemned as a violation of the ceasefire.
The wider standoff has affected shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, a key route for global oil supply. Many ships have begun turning back due to confusion and growing security concerns.
Donald Trump has already indicated that if no agreement is reached, the blockade will continue, and military action could also restart. At present, his message is very clear: no deal means no relief.
As the deadline approaches, strong statements, military pressure, and the lack of progress in talks suggest that the chances for peace may be decreasing rather than increasing.
