by Emmitt Barry, Worthy News Washington D.C. Bureau Chief
(Worthy News) – President Donald Trump said Monday that the United States is unlikely to extend its current ceasefire with Iran if a comprehensive peace deal is not reached before the looming April 22 deadline, intensifying global attention on high-stakes negotiations set to resume this week.
The temporary truce, first announced April 7, is now scheduled to expire Wednesday evening Washington time. Speaking in a phone interview, Trump made clear that patience is running thin, stating it is “highly unlikely” the ceasefire will be renewed without a finalized agreement.
Negotiations are set to continue in Islamabad, Pakistan, where U.S. officials are preparing for a second round of talks with Iranian counterparts. Vice President JD Vance is expected to resume discussions imminently, joined by senior figures including Jared Kushner and Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff.
At the center of the pressure campaign is a sweeping U.S. naval blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, which began April 13 and remains firmly in place. Trump emphasized that the blockade will not be lifted until a deal is signed, noting that Iran is suffering severe economic consequences as a result.
“The Iranians desperately want it opened,” Trump said. “I’m not opening it until a deal is signed.”
According to U.S. Central Command, American forces have already turned back or redirected 27 vessels attempting to move through restricted waters. The administration estimates the blockade is costing Iran roughly $500 million per day in lost revenue, a figure Trump described as “unsustainable.”
In a series of public statements, Trump dismissed claims that he is under pressure to reach a deal, asserting instead that negotiations are progressing on U.S. terms and could conclude swiftly. He also pledged that any new agreement would surpass the 2015 Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action brokered under Barack Obama, which he sharply criticized as ineffective.
Meanwhile, tensions escalated over the weekend when U.S. forces seized an Iranian-flagged container ship accused of attempting to bypass the blockade. Trump indicated additional seizures could follow if necessary, underscoring a strategy rooted in what officials describe as “peace through strength.”
The geopolitical strain is already rippling through global markets. Oil prices surged more than 5 percent on Monday, with Brent crude nearing $95 per barrel and West Texas Intermediate climbing to approximately $87, reflecting investor concern over potential supply disruptions in the region.
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