Washington DC:United States President Donald Trump on Tuesday (local times) extended the ceasefire withIran. However, he stated that the US Navy will keep enforcing the blockade in the Strait of Hormuz. Trump claimed that Iran is losing USD 500 million per day due to the blockade. "Iran doesn’t want the Strait of Hormuz closed, they want it open so they can make $500 Million Dollars a day (which is, therefore, what they are losing if it is closed!)," Trump wrote in his Truth Social post.
"They only say they want it closed because I have it totally BLOCKADED (CLOSED!), so they merely want to “save face.” People approached me four days ago, saying, “Sir, Iran wants to open up the Strait, immediately.” But if we do that, there can never be a Deal with Iran, unless we blow up the rest of their Country, their leaders included!" he added.
Notably, shipping activity in the Strait of Hormuz, a key waterway that accounts for 20 per cent of the world's crude oil and liquified natural gas (LNG) trade, remains severely affected, further aggravating the energy crisis in the region.
Current Status Of Strait Of Hormuz:
As per a report by Reuters, the movement of ships through the strait remains below normal levels. Only three vessels transited the strait in a 24-hour period, reported the news agency, citing ship-tracking data. Before the start of the Middle East conflict on February 28, around 140 ships used to pass daily through the key waterway.
Also Read:Iran War Drains US Missile Arsenal, Rebuilding May Take 4 Years: Report
Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has imposed a virtual blockade since the start of the war. The key waterway was opened by the IRGC for a brief period between April 17 and 18. Meanwhile, the US imposed a naval blockade on April 13 in the strait after the first round of peace talks failed. The US forces are blocking ships from leaving and entering Iranian ports.
The US President on Tuesday announced the extension of the ceasefire with Iran. In his post announcing the extension of the ceasefire, Trump claimed that the Iranian government is "seriously fractured." He also claimed that the ceasefire was extended upon the request of Pakistan's army chief General Asim Munir and its Prime MInister Shehbaz Sharif.
"Based on the fact that the Government of Iran is seriously fractured, not unexpectedly so and, upon the request of Field Marshal Asim Munir, and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, of Pakistan, we have been asked to hold our Attack on the Country of Iran until such time as their leaders and representatives can come up with a unified proposal," he said in his Truth Social post.
"I have therefore directed our Military to continue the Blockade and, in all other respects, remain ready and able, and will therefore extend the Ceasefire until such time as their proposal is submitted, and discussions are concluded, one way or the other," Trump added.
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