Trump Says 'No Time Pressure' On Iran Talks, Calls Hormuz Blockade More Effective Than Bombing

Last Updated:April 23, 2026, 07:37 IST

Trump said there is “no time pressure” to resume Iran talks, dismissing reports of a short ceasefire window and stressing a focus on securing “a good deal.”

US President Donald Trump has said there is “no time pressure" to resume negotiations with Iran, even as talks remain stalled following the April 12 breakdown.

In an interview with Fox News’ Martha MacCallum, Trump dismissed reports suggesting a short-term extension of the ceasefire, calling claims of a “three to five day window" “false."

A day after announcing an indefinite extension of the ceasefire, Trump made clear there is no immediate urgency to conclude the conflict.

“There was ‘no time frame’ and no rush," he said, pushing back against speculation that domestic political considerations were driving the timeline.

Trump rejected suggestions that the war’s timeline is tied to electoral calculations.

“People say I want to get it over because of the midterms, not true," he said, adding that his administration is focused on securing “a good deal for the American people."

However, according to AFP, the war, launched on February 28 by the United States and Israel, has proven politically costly for Trump, drawing criticism even from within his Republican base.

The report noted that Trump, who campaigned against military interventionism, now faces mounting pressure as the conflict drags on.

STRAIT OF HORMUZ INCIDENTS ADD TO TENSIONS

Trump also addressed developments in the Strait of Hormuz, where Iran fired at and seized ships on Wednesday.

He downplayed the immediate implications for Washington, noting, “They were not US ships," while adding that the situation is being closely monitored.

AFP highlighted that Iran has responded to the conflict by exerting control over the Strait of Hormuz, a critical chokepoint for global oil flows, contributing to rising fuel prices and broader economic concerns.

BLOCKADE ‘SCARES THEM MORE THAN BOMBING’

A central theme in Trump’s remarks was the effectiveness of economic pressure.

“The blockade scares them even more than the bombing," he said of Iran’s leadership.

“They’ve been bombed for years, but the blockade they hate."

He also warned of lasting damage to Iran’s energy infrastructure.

“Once those wells go down, sometimes they are down for good."

AFP reported that the naval blockade has become a major sticking point in negotiations, with Iran demanding its removal before considering any agreement.

Trump, however, has not indicated any willingness to ease the measure.

Senator Lindsey Graham suggested the blockade could expand further, writing that it “will be growing and that it could become global soon."

DIPLOMATIC DEADLOCK AND DISTRUST

Talks between Washington and Tehran remain uncertain.

A planned second round of negotiations in Pakistan did not take place after Iran declined to confirm participation, leaving Vice President JD Vance unable to proceed with the visit.

Despite the impasse, Trump struck a relatively measured tone on Iran’s top diplomat, calling Abbas Araghchi “a smart man" and expressing confidence that “he will still be there when talks get underway again."

AFP, however, underscored deep mistrust between the two sides.

Iranian leaders remain wary after past negotiations coincided with military actions.

Analyst Alex Vatanka was quoted as saying that Trump “has stopped digging himself into a deeper hole," while also warning that actions like enforcing a blockade during a ceasefire could undermine diplomacy “for the sake of optics and looking strong."

PROLONGED STANDOFF LIKELY

Experts cited by AFP suggest Trump is attempting to “exhaust any political option" while avoiding further escalation.

At the same time, Tehran appears to believe “time is on its side," expecting that a prolonged conflict will increase costs for the United States and the global economy.

With no timeline for talks and no convergence on key demands, the ceasefire remains fragile.

News world Trump Says 'No Time Pressure' On Iran Talks, Calls Hormuz Blockade More Effective Than Bombing

Read More