Trump Denies Facing Pressure, Says Iranian Ports Will Be Unblocked After Agreement

WASHINGTON (CNA Washington, April 20, Composite Foreign News) - U.S. President Donald Trump on Tuesday denied facing pressure to reach an agreement with Iran, stating that U.S. sanctions on Iranian ports would only be lifted after an agreement is reached to end the war.

According to reports from NBC News and Agence France-Presse, Trump posted multiple times on his social media platform "Truth Social" today, primarily defending his administration's actions against Iran and attacking "fake news" media reports.

In his first post, Trump stated that the agreement his administration is negotiating would be better than the nuclear deal reached by former President Obama with Iran in 2015, without specifying any major differences.

Trump's second post said he was "not facing any pressure to make a deal with Iran." He wrote: "I see the Fake News saying I am under pressure to make a deal. Not true! I am under NO pressure, and will make a deal only when it is good for the USA!"

Trump's third post claimed he "will win the war, big and beautifully, and the situation is developing very well," criticizing "fake news" media for making people believe the US would lose the war.

Trump also wrote that the blockade was crippling Iran, and that it would only be lifted after an agreement is reached, stating, "They are losing $500 million a day, a number that cannot be sustained even for a short period."

Trump's fourth post seemed to indicate that Iran's restrictions on shipping in the Strait of Hormuz benefited the U.S. instead.

He said: "Iran leadership is forcing many ships to turn to the USA for their oil, not going to the Persian Gulf! Very much appreciated!" (Compiled by Lu Ying-tzu) 04/21/1150