Trump taunts Iran's 'blackmail' with 34 ship Hormuz crossing: 'Won't be pleasant for them' WASHINGTON, DC: President Donald Trump on Monday, April 13, issued a fresh warning to Iran while addressing rising tensions in the Strait of Hormuz, a key global oil transit route. Speaking during a White House briefing, Trump accused Tehran of “blackmailing the world” and signaled potential consequences if a nuclear deal was not reached. His remarks came as maritime traffic surged through the strait and reports emerged of tankers turning away following a US blockade. Iranian officials, meanwhile, cautioned that foreign intervention could deepen instability in global energy markets. Trump warns of consequences and claims Iran open to deal During remarks at the White House, Trump declined to detail specific actions if negotiations with Iran failed but indicated a strong response. “I don't want to comment on that, but it won't be pleasant for them, let me put it that way,” he said when asked about the outcome if a deal was not reached by the end of the ceasefire period. Trump reiterated his administration’s core demand, stating, “Iran will not have a nuclear weapon... If they don't agree, there's no deal. There'll never be a deal.” .@POTUS: "Iran will not have a nuclear weapon... If they don't agree, there's no deal. There'll never be a deal. Iran will not have a nuclear weapon and we're going to get the dust back — either we'll get it back from them or we'll take it." pic.twitter.com/SNani9M8hT— Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) April 13, 2026 He added, “Iran will not have a nuclear weapon, and we're going to get the dust back, either we'll get it back from them, or we'll take it.” He also suggested that diplomatic engagement might still be possible, noting that he had received communication from Iranian representatives. “They would like to work a deal,” Trump said, adding that he believes Tehran could ultimately agree to US conditions. .@POTUS: "We can't let a country blackmail or extort the world because that’s what they’re doing, they’re really blackmailing the world. We’re not going to let that happen."— Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) April 13, 2026 "And many ships are heading to our country right now as we speak to load up with the best [oil]..." pic.twitter.com/8gCGjZiHX1 Framing Iran’s handling of the Strait of Hormuz as a broader global threat, Trump said, “We can't let a country blackmail or extort the world because that’s what they’re doing, they’re really blackmailing the world. We’re not going to let that happen.” He also pointed to maritime activity as a sign of ongoing oil flows despite tensions. April 13, 2026 “And many ships are heading to our country right now as we speak to load up with the best (oil)...” Trump said, adding in a post on Truth Social that as many as “34 ships went through the Strait of Hormuz yesterday, which is by far the highest number since this foolish closure began.” Iran warns of escalation as tankers alter routes Iranian officials responded by warning that increased foreign military involvement in the Strait of Hormuz could worsen instability. A defense ministry spokesperson said such actions “would escalate the crisis and instability in global energy security,” according to state media. IRAN DEFENCE MINISTRY SPOX: ANY MILITARY INTERVENTION BY FOREIGN POWERS IN THE SECURITY OF THE STRAIT OF HORMUZ WOULD ESCALATE THE CRISIS AND INSTABILITY IN GLOBAL ENERGY SECURITY. - PRESS TV— RedboxGlobal (@RedboxWire) April 13, 2026 “Iran, based on clear and logical principles, is responsible for the security and management of the Strait of Hormuz,” the spokesperson said, adding that Tehran “will not allow any interference or aggression by US or other foreign forces.” The statement further warned of a decisive response “to any aggressor, including Israel and the United States, in the Strait of Hormuz and elsewhere.” At least two oil and chemical tankers reportedly altered their routes after the US blockade began. One vessel, carrying oil and initially bound for China, turned back shortly after entering the area, according to maritime tracking data. Another tanker, also partially loaded, similarly reversed course.
Trump taunts Iran's 'blackmail' with 34 ship Hormuz crossing: 'Won't be pleasant for them' WASHINGTON, DC: President Donald Trump on Monday, April 13, issued a fresh warning to Iran while addressing rising tensions in the Strait of Hormuz, a key global oil transit route. Speaking…
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International mediators have proposed a 10-day ceasefire between the United States and Iran, according to a senior Iranian official cited in reports. The measure is described as intended to reduce hostilities and allow renewed talks on a prior interim agreement.
Both sides are assessing next steps in the current regional security situation.
Reports indicate that a US-Iran ceasefire has broken down amid renewed fighting, with the potential impact of mediation efforts by Pakistan, Qatar, and Oman remaining unclear. Earlier diplomatic steps included a June memorandum of understanding between the parties for further negotiations and talks hosted in Geneva in February.
The summary also references Europe’s historical role in diplomacy, including the 1814-15 Congress of Vienna.
Donald Trump stated in a Fox News interview that his representatives had spoken with Iranian officials an hour earlier and that those officials wanted to make a deal to end the conflict, though he noted they had broken prior agreements and expressed uncertainty about whether one would be reached.
He added that people do not want to die and that Iran would need to proceed carefully to avoid further losses. The remarks come amid an ongoing US-Iran conflict that has involved casualties and shipping disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz, with some social media users criticizing the repetition of similar statements.
Why the Iran-US ceasefire is falling apart Iran and the US have resumed fighting because they don’t see each other as ‘reliable negotiating partners’, says analyst Ali Vaez. Neither Iran nor the United States seems able to deliver a “knockout blow at an acceptable price” to the other side, and both know “they have no choice other than engaging in diplomacy”, but they’re not ready to make uncomfortable concessions, argues Ali Vaez, director of the Iran Project at International Crisis Group.
Vaez tells host Steve Clemons that Tehran and Washington are trying to “enforce their own interpretation” of the ceasefire agreement they signed last month. President Trump has become “frustrated” with diplomacy because he’s not seeing “the kind of quick results that he likes to see”, Vaez says.