U.S. President Donald Trump announced Thursday that he is extending until Monday, April 6, the ultimatum for Iran to reopen the Strait of Hormuz or he will destroy its power plants.
The Republican leader informed through his Social Truth network that, “at the request of the Iranian government”, he has decided to extend the deadline by 10 more days, which will expire on April 6 at 8 p.m. Washington time (00.00 GMT on April 7).
Trump extends Iran deadline
“The talks are continuing and, despite misleading statements spread by some media outlets propagating false news, they are progressing very well,” he added.
Trump last week gave Iran an ultimatum to fully reopen the strategic Strait of Hormuz, through which a fifth of the world’s oil passes, under threat of destroying its power plants.
The original deadline was set for Monday, but was later extended to Friday, arguing that both countries had begun to negotiate an end to the conflict.
Earlier Thursday, Trump was asked by the press if he planned to extend his ultimatum again and replied that it would depend on what his negotiators – Vice President JD Vance, special envoy Steve Witkoff and son-in-law Jared Kushner – would advise him.
“I don’t know yet. I don’t know. Mr. Witkoff, JD and Jared will tell me if they think it’s on the right track and, if it’s not on the right track, maybe not,” he said.
According to the U.S. president, Iran is “begging for a deal” and has reportedly allowed a dozen tankers to pass through the Strait of Hormuz as a sign of goodwill.
The U.S. government, through the mediation of Pakistan, presented the Iranian authorities with a 15-point plan to end the war, but Tehran has rejected it.
While the White House is talking about negotiations, the Pentagon is preparing different options for military intervention to execute a “final blow” in the Iran war that could include the participation of ground forces, according to Axios digital media on Thursday.
For his part, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi says that the words and behavior of the United States are “a sign of contradiction,” for while it asks to negotiate, it continues the aggression and sends more forces to the region.
Filed under: Trump extends deadline to Iran
With information from EFE
