Trump says he will not let Iran 'blackmail' US amid Hormuz tensions
Iran says proposals from Washington are currently under review in Tehran and that no formal response has yet been issued.
Donald Trump has said the United States will not allow Iran to "blackmail" them, as tensions escalate over the Strait of Hormuz and ongoing naval restrictions.
Speaking briefly to reporters in the Oval Office during an executive order signing on Saturday (18 April), Trump said there were "very good conversations going on" with Iran, but criticised Tehran's approach, reports BBC.
He described Iranian leaders as acting "a little cute as they have for 47 years" and warned that attempts to close the Strait of Hormuz would not succeed.
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"They want to close the Strait of Hormuz, but we won't let them blackmail us," Trump said, adding that the US is taking a tough stance.
The president also indicated that further updates on the situation could come "by the end of the day," though he did not take detailed questions before the session ended.
Meanwhile, Iran's Supreme National Security Council (SNSC) accused the US of violating the ceasefire through its naval blockade of Iranian ports.
In a statement, the SNSC said that "as long as the enemy intends to disrupt the passage of vessels and apply its naval blockade, Iran will view that as a violation of the ceasefire and prevent the conditional and limited reopening of the Strait of Hormuz."
On diplomatic efforts, the council said new proposals from Washington are currently under review in Tehran and that no formal response has yet been issued.
