Trump Vows to Maintain Sanctions on Iran Until Peace Deal is Reached

Washington D.C. U.S. President Donald Trump has announced plans to maintain American sanctions on Iranian ports until a peace agreement is reached with Tehran.

Following a ceasefire agreement between Israel and Lebanon, Iran reopened the Strait of Hormuz on Friday, although Tehran has threatened to close the waterway again if U.S. sanctions persist.

The previous ceasefire between Tehran and Washington is set to expire on Wednesday. When asked whether the ceasefire would be extended, Trump told reporters that he would not extend it but would continue the sanctions.

Earlier, talks held in Pakistan failed to reach a consensus due to significant differences between the demands of the U.S. and Iran. Trump told reporters that Iran would not impose any fees on ships passing through the Strait of Hormuz.

On the social media platform Truth, he stated that Chinese President Xi Jinping was very pleased with the opening of Hormuz. Referring to the summit scheduled to be held in Beijing this coming May, Trump said he would have a special and historic meeting with his counterpart Xi Jinping in China.

Under the plan to end the war that began on February 28, Trump has also insisted that Tehran must transfer its stockpiled uranium to the United States.

Previously, the Iranian Foreign Ministry had stated that it would not transfer its uranium anywhere.