U.S. President Donald Trump posted "Tuesday, 8:00 p.m. Eastern Time!" on social media on Sunday, a message that appeared to signal a possible extension of the deadline for Iran to reopen the Strait of Hormuz.
On March 21, Trump threatened to hit and obliterate Iranian power plants if the country fails to fully open the strait within 48 hours. Two days later, he postponed strikes on power plants for five days, claiming to have held productive conversations with Iran.
On March 26, Trump again pushed the deadline back, saying that he will pause planned strikes on Iranian energy facilities for 10 days, to April 6, the upcoming Monday at 20:00 Eastern Time. On Saturday, Trump reaffirmed that Iran has 48 hours to strike a deal on opening up the strait or face "Hell."
However, in the post on Sunday, Trump appeared to hint at extending the deadline for Iran to reopen the strait for another time.
In a post earlier Sunday, the U.S. president threatened that Tuesday would be "Power Plant Day, and Bridge Day, all wrapped up in one" for Iran, and again urged Iran to open the Strait of Hormuz.
Despite the threats, Trump said on Sunday that he believes a deal can be reached before the deadline, adding that Iran is currently negotiating. If Iran refuses, he said he is considering bombing everything and seizing Iran's oil.
Ali Abdollahi, chief commander of Iran's Khatam al-Anbiya Central Headquarters, responded Saturday that the Iranian armed forces would not hesitate for a moment to defend the country's rights and protect national assets and will put the aggressors in their place.
Trump also claimed that earlier this year, the U.S. sent weapons to Iranian protesters through the Kurds, though he believes the Kurds took them.
He also said he was very satisfied with a recent operation to rescue the pilot of a U.S. fighter jet that was shot down in Iranian airspace. He said Israel had assisted with the rescue, describing the bilateral relationship as big brother and little brother.
Trump hints at extending deadline for Iran to reopen Strait of Hormuz
Trump hints at extending deadline for Iran to reopen Strait of Hormuz
Trump hints at extending deadline for Iran to reopen Strait of Hormuz
A Chinese envoy said on Monday that dialogue and negotiation are the only viable way to resolve the Ukraine crisis, calling on the international community to build momentum for peace talks and create conditions for an early political settlement.
In their briefing at a United Nations Security Council meeting on Ukraine on Monday, UN Under-Secretary-General for Political and Peacebuilding Affairs Rosemary DiCarlo said July was the deadliest month since May 2022, while UN Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator Tom Fletcher said that at least 437 civilians were killed and more than 2,600 others injured that month.
Also at the meeting, Fu Cong, China's permanent representative to the United Nations, called for an end to the fighting and greater protection for civilians.
He warned that to allow the situation to further deteriorate and escalate only deepens human suffering, destabilizes the region, and threatens global stability.
"Fighting on the ground is escalating, and the humanitarian toll is mounting. For more than a month, the two sides have been locked in a new round of fierce fighting, resulting in numerous casualties, damage to a large number of civilian facilities such as energy, food, and material storage, and attacks on third-party ships and assets, which is deeply distressing and worrying," Fu said.
The Chinese envoy said China advocates joint efforts to de-escalate the situation, initiate a peace process, and seek fundamental solutions. "Dialogue and negotiation are the only viable way out of the Ukraine issue. Currently, dialogue efforts remain stalled as deep differences persist among key stakeholders. China calls on all relevant parties to continue demonstrating political will, strive to start and sustain talks, gradually build consensus, and work towards a comprehensive, durable and binding peace agreement," Fu said.
He said that China's position on the Ukraine issue remains objective, fair, and consistent, adding China promotes peace talks in its own way and supports all efforts conducive to a peaceful settlement of the crisis.
China stands ready to work with the international community and continue playing a constructive role in the political settlement of the conflict, Fu said.
China emphasizes dialogue, negotiation as only viable path to resolve Ukraine crisis
