Trump: No Ceasefire Extension, “Big Deal” With Iran Soon

U.S. President Donald Trump announced that he does not expect to extend the ceasefire with Iran, which is scheduled to end on Wednesday, and stated that Washington will ultimately reach a “big deal” with Tehran. In an interview with Squawk Box on Tuesday, April 21, Trump stated: “I think we will ultimately reach a great deal with Iran.” He added that Tehran has “no choice” but to accept this agreement. Referring to his country’s military actions, the U.S. President said: “We destroyed their navy, we destroyed their air force, and we took out their leaders.” He continued: “Removing leaders complicates things in one sense, but these new leaders are much more reasonable.” Regarding the actions of the Islamic Republic, Trump said: “Over the decades, they have killed a large number of our soldiers and other people.” Addressing the Islamic Republic’s crackdown on protesters, he claimed that in the past two months, 42,000 unarmed, innocent protesters have been killed and many others executed. Defending his policies, he emphasized: “We are not dealing with the kindest group of people, but we have dealt with them very successfully, and this blockade has been a tremendous success.” In another part of his remarks concerning the Strait of Hormuz, Trump said: “They said they wanted to open the Strait, but I said we will not do that until we reach a final agreement.” He added: “We have complete control of the Strait.” The U.S. President also stated that changes in Iran’s leadership structure had occurred indirectly, adding: “Whatever you call it, it has been a change; something I didn’t say I would do, but it has been done indirectly.”