Iran can't blackmail us: Trump
Apr 19, 2026
Washington [US], April 19: US President Donald Trump said he is not letting Iran's blockade of the Strait of Hormuz put him under pressure, as Tehran reimposed a blockade of the key waterway after Trump refused to remove the one he put in place.
Tehran has been acting this way for years and "they can't blackmail us," the president told reporters at the White House on Saturday.
Trump stressed that both sides were still negotiating.
"We're talking to them, and you know, we're taking a tough stand," he said, adding that "we'll have some information by the end of the day."
On Friday, Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi and Trump announced the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz for the passage of oil tankers and merchant ships.
Less than 24 hours later, the headquarters of Iran's armed forces reversed this. The continuing US blockade of Iranian ports was cited as the reason.
Since the reversal, 23 ships have changed course or turned back on the instructions of US Central Command (CENTCOM), it said on X.The US naval blockade is directed at ships with an Iranian port as their point of departure or destination. (DPA)
Source: Qatar Tribune
