Trump warns of fresh Iran strikes if no deal sealed by April 22

US President Donald Trump has warned that the fragile ceasefire with Iran could collapse if a broader agreement to end hostilities is not reached by April 22, raising the prospect of renewed military escalation in an already volatile Gulf region.

Speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One while returning to Washington from Phoenix, Arizona, Trump signaled uncertainty over whether the current truce would continue.

“Maybe I won’t extend it, but the blockade on Iranian ports is going to remain,” he said. “So you have a blockade, and unfortunately we have to start dropping bombs again.”

The sharp warning comes as diplomatic efforts between Washington and Tehran remain deadlocked. A recent round of indirect talks held in Pakistan failed to deliver any meaningful breakthrough, despite hopes that backchannel negotiations could ease tensions.

Both sides continue to remain divided over several critical issues, including sanctions relief, nuclear commitments and maritime security.

The crisis has also intensified concerns around the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s most strategic energy corridors through which nearly 20% of global oil and liquefied natural gas shipments pass.

While the United States has insisted that the waterway remains open and safe for international navigation, Iran has repeatedly warned that access could be restricted if American pressure continues.

Washington has maintained a naval blockade on Iranian ports since mid-April, a move aimed at restricting maritime activity linked to Tehran.

US officials claim vessels attempting to enter or leave Iranian ports have been turned back under the enforcement operation. Iran, however, has denounced the blockade as illegal, provocative and a violation of international norms.

Iranian leaders have also rejected US assertions regarding the status of the Strait of Hormuz and the progress of broader negotiations.

Officials in Tehran have suggested that any prolonged blockade could directly affect shipping access through Hormuz, triggering fresh anxiety in global markets already sensitive to supply disruptions.

Trump’s latest comments reflect the widening trust deficit between the two sides, even as both publicly continue to express willingness to strike a deal.

The US President has repeatedly voiced optimism about reaching an agreement, while simultaneously warning of military consequences if diplomacy fails.

The uncertainty has kept global energy markets on edge, with analysts warning that a prolonged standoff could tighten supply chains and delay any return to normal shipping operations in the region.

With April 22 deadline fast approaching, the world is now watching whether diplomacy can still prevail—or whether the ceasefire will collapse into another phase of conflict, risking deeper instability across the Gulf and beyond.