Trump Sets 24-Hour Messaging Blitz on Iran: Hormuz Shipping Restored, Blockade Stays; NATO and Media Also Targeted

Huo Xing Finance reports that President Trump on April 18 delivered a flurry of statements over the past 24 hours, laying out his stance on Iran, the Strait of Hormuz and broader regional security. Trump said navigation through the Strait of Hormuz has resumed, while stressing that a maritime blockade on Iran will remain until any agreement is "100% completed." He also claimed Iran has agreed to suspend its nuclear program indefinitely. Under the arrangement he described, the U.S. would take part in retrieving Iran's enriched uranium and transporting it to the United States, while adding that no frozen Iranian funds would be released. On the diplomatic timeline, Trump said talks would continue over the weekend. He warned that if no agreement is reached by next Wednesday, a return to war "cannot be ruled out." Addressing perceived inconsistencies in Tehran's messaging, he said Iran "needs to say different things domestically." He also rejected reports of fees for transit, saying no tolls would be charged for passage through the Strait. On regional security, Trump said the U.S. has stopped Israel from continuing airstrikes in Lebanon and plans to deal with Hezbollah independently. Trump also used the remarks to sharpen political attacks at home and abroad. He criticized NATO as "useless at a critical moment" and faulted certain allies for a lack of cooperation. He renewed claims that The New York Times, CNN and other outlets reported inaccurately. He thanked Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Qatar and Pakistan for supporting operations. He additionally said the first batch of UFO-related documents would be released soon, and announced plans to sign an executive order and hold a press conference on Saturday. Overall, Trump's rapid-fire messaging is shaping market and diplomatic expectations, pairing a hard line with uncertainty as ceasefire efforts, negotiations and the blockade proceed in parallel. (Jin Shi)