President Donald Trump spoke about the U.S.-Iran ceasefire for the first time this week, and warned Iran that they have limited time to act before potential military consequences. “They have a matter of days before that event takes place. So I’m not under any pressure whatsoever,” Trump said. On Thursday morning, the president announced that he ordered the U.S. Navy to “shoot and kill” any boat suspected of laying mines in the heavily trafficked Strait of Hormuz. He also said he has ordered additional mine sweepers to clear the waterway. U.S. forces warned vessels in international waters that they would be halted if suspected of transporting what the Pentagon called “material support” to Iran. The effort included the seizure of two Iranian-linked oil tankers in the Indian Ocean this week. According to U.S. Central Command, since the start of the blockade, U.S. forces have redirected at least 33 vessels to turn around or return to port. Meanwhile, Trump and Iranian leaders have exchanged sharp remarks on social media. The president claimed Iran is “having a hard time figuring out who their leader is.” In response, Iran’s parliament speaker said, “With complete obedience to the supreme leader, Iran will make the aggressor criminal regret his actions.”In the Oval Office this afternoon, Trump said that if Iran does not make a deal, he will “finish it up militarily,” but added he would not use a nuclear weapon. It remains unclear whether the two countries will meet again in Islamabad, as U.S.-Iran ceasefire talks have been delayed since Tehran has yet to confirm attendance. Pakistani leaders met with U.S. officials Thursday and reportedly discussed the potential for a second round of talks. On Thursday afternoon, Pope Leo XIV urged the countries to return to negotiations and called for a new “culture of peace.” According to Trump on Thursday, Israel and Lebanon agreed to extend a ceasefire by three weeks after he met with the countries’ envoys at the White House. A White House official said it was an ambassador-level meeting that was rescheduled for the White House instead of the State Department to allow Trump to attend.That initial ceasefire was set to expire on Sunday.There has been disagreement between the U.S. and Iran about whether the Israel-Lebanon ceasefire would impact a U.S.-Iran deal.See updates on the Iran war below:
WASHINGTON —
President Donald Trump spoke about the U.S.-Iran ceasefire for the first time this week, and warned Iran that they have limited time to act before potential military consequences.
“They have a matter of days before that event takes place. So I’m not under any pressure whatsoever,” Trump said.
On Thursday morning, the president announced that he ordered the U.S. Navy to “shoot and kill” any boat suspected of laying mines in the heavily trafficked Strait of Hormuz. He also said he has ordered additional mine sweepers to clear the waterway.
U.S. forces warned vessels in international waters that they would be halted if suspected of transporting what the Pentagon called “material support” to Iran. The effort included the seizure of two Iranian-linked oil tankers in the Indian Ocean this week.
According to U.S. Central Command, since the start of the blockade, U.S. forces have redirected at least 33 vessels to turn around or return to port.
Meanwhile, Trump and Iranian leaders have exchanged sharp remarks on social media. The president claimed Iran is “having a hard time figuring out who their leader is.” In response, Iran’s parliament speaker said, “With complete obedience to the supreme leader, Iran will make the aggressor criminal regret his actions.“
In the Oval Office this afternoon, Trump said that if Iran does not make a deal, he will “finish it up militarily,” but added he would not use a nuclear weapon.
It remains unclear whether the two countries will meet again in Islamabad, as U.S.-Iran ceasefire talks have been delayed since Tehran has yet to confirm attendance. Pakistani leaders met with U.S. officials Thursday and reportedly discussed the potential for a second round of talks.
On Thursday afternoon, Pope Leo XIV urged the countries to return to negotiations and called for a new “culture of peace.”
According to Trump on Thursday, Israel and Lebanon agreed to extend a ceasefire by three weeks after he met with the countries’ envoys at the White House. A White House official said it was an ambassador-level meeting that was rescheduled for the White House instead of the State Department to allow Trump to attend.
That initial ceasefire was set to expire on Sunday.
There has been disagreement between the U.S. and Iran about whether the Israel-Lebanon ceasefire would impact a U.S.-Iran deal.
See updates on the Iran war below: