Trump: "Truce May Not Be Extended If No Agreement by the 22nd"

U.S. President Donald Trump said on the 17th (local time) that if an agreement is not reached with Iran in the ceasefire negotiations by the 22nd, an extension of the truce may not be possible.

U.S. President Donald Trump. AP Yonhap News

Speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One as he returned to Washington from Phoenix, Arizona, President Trump stated, "The blockade (on Iranian waters) will remain in place," and added, "If the blockade continues, unfortunately, we will have to drop bombs again."

Earlier, in a phone interview with the online media outlet Axios, President Trump expressed confidence that he would be able to conclude ceasefire talks with Iran soon, saying, "I expect an agreement within a day or two."

The United States and Iran accepted the 'two-week truce proposal' suggested by mediator Pakistan on the 7th, and are holding ceasefire negotiations with the 21st as the deadline. It is unclear whether President Trump's mention of the 22nd as the deadline for a ceasefire agreement, instead of the 21st, means that the truce period is actually one day longer than previously known.

Meanwhile, President Trump said through the social media platform Truth Social that Chinese President Xi Jinping was also pleased with Iran's announcement of the temporary opening of the Strait of Hormuz that day. He stated, "President Xi is very pleased that the Strait of Hormuz has been opened or is opening quickly," and added, "Our talks in China will be special and historic."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.