Trump Says Iran ‘Desperate’ as US Prepares to Enforce Blockade

Washington, April 2026 : US President Donald Trump has said Iran is in “very bad shape” and “pretty desperate,” as he confirmed that a sweeping maritime blockade targeting Tehran’s oil exports would come into force within hours.

Speaking to reporters on the tarmac after returning from Miami, Trump indicated that the ceasefire in the region was “holding well,” but made it clear that Washington’s stance remained firm ahead of the blockade scheduled to begin at 10 a.m. Monday.

“The blockade will go into effect tomorrow,” Trump said, adding that several vessels were already moving toward the region to load oil. The planned move is part of a broader strategy aimed at tightening economic pressure on Iran by restricting its ability to export energy resources.

The President also suggested that other countries were cooperating with the United States to curb Iran’s oil trade, although he did not name specific nations. “Other nations are working so that Iran cannot sell oil,” he said, pointing to what he described as growing international alignment on the issue.

On the possibility of renewed negotiations with Tehran, Trump struck a notably dismissive tone. He reiterated his long-standing position that Iran must not be allowed to develop nuclear weapons, but suggested that the United States was not dependent on talks to achieve its objectives.

“I think Iran is in very bad shape. They’re pretty desperate,” he said, adding, “I don’t care if they come back or not. If they don’t come back, I’m fine.” His remarks signal a shift toward a more uncompromising approach, with Washington focusing on pressure tactics rather than diplomatic engagement.

The blockade is expected to significantly impact Iran’s economy, particularly its oil exports, which are a major source of national revenue. US officials have consistently argued that limiting these revenues is key to constraining Tehran’s nuclear ambitions and reducing its regional influence.

During the brief interaction, Trump also turned his attention to the NATO alliance, expressing disappointment over what he described as insufficient support. “We pay trillions of dollars for NATO and they weren’t there for us,” he said, reflecting ongoing tensions between Washington and some of its allies.

Trump declined to comment on other international political developments, including reports concerning Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban, and ended the exchange after a short interaction with the media.

The announcement of the blockade marks a significant escalation in US policy toward Iran, combining economic restrictions with maritime enforcement measures. As tensions remain high, the coming days are likely to be critical in determining whether the situation moves toward further confrontation or eventual negotiations.

(The content of this article is sourced from a news agency and has not been edited by the Mavericknews30 team.)