Trump: If Iran does not reach a ceasefire or launches an attack, Iran will not have nuclear weapons.

Carrot and stick—Trump issued military threats to Iran and also sent optimistic signals about negotiations on the same day. On his way back to Washington aboard Air Force One, Trump made intensive remarks about the US-Iran situation. According to CCTV International News on April 18, he warned that if Iran fails to reach a long-term agreement to end the war by April 22 (Wednesday), the United States may terminate the ceasefire and resume strikes. Meanwhile, he stated that negotiations are “progressing smoothly” and revealed that he had just received “quite good news.” This mix of hard and soft statements has kept the market highly alert to developments in the Middle East—especially the security of passage through the Strait of Hormuz, which is directly related to global oil supplies. Ceasefire deadline: Next Wednesday is a key moment Trump has set a clear time frame. “Maybe I won’t extend the ceasefire, but the blockade (of Iranian ports) will continue,” Trump said. “So the blockade remains, and unfortunately, we may have to start dropping bombs again.” This means that even if negotiations break down, the US does not intend to lift the blockade of Iranian ports—military and economic pressure will continue simultaneously. Negotiations continue, talks go on over the weekend Besides threats, Trump also gave relatively positive signals. He said, “Twenty minutes ago we received some pretty good news; things seem to be going very smoothly with Iran.” “You’ll hear the news. I just feel this should happen, it’s only natural. And I believe it will happen. We’ll wait and see, but I think it will,” Trump said when asked what the good news was. According to media reports, Trump also stated that negotiations concerning the war with Iran would continue over the weekend. The nuclear issue is at the core of negotiations. Trump has repeatedly emphasized the same stance: “The main thing is that Iran will not have nuclear weapons.” Strait of Hormuz: Explicitly rules out charging fees On the issue of passage through the Strait of Hormuz, which markets are closely watching, Trump gave a definite answer. Asked if Iran might charge tolls on passing ships, he responded: “Absolutely not, there will be no transit fees.” The Strait of Hormuz is one of the world’s most important oil transport channels, with a significant portion of the world’s seaborne crude passing through daily. Trump’s statement directly addressed concerns about risks of shipping disruptions. Risk Warning and Disclaimer Markets bear risks; investment requires caution. This article does not constitute individual investment advice, nor does it take into account the specific investment objectives, financial situation, or needs of any particular user. Users should consider whether any opinions, viewpoints, or conclusions in this article are suitable for their particular situation. Investing according to this article is at your own risk.