President Donald Trump issued a strong warning on Wednesday regarding the Iranian nuclear program, asserting that the United States "will not allow Iran to have a nuclear weapon" as long as the U.S. naval blockade against Iranian ports remains in effect and negotiations between both parties remain at a critical juncture.
"We are not going to let that happen. And we won't allow it to happen. We are dealing with people who want to make a deal, and we will see if they can reach one that satisfies us," Trump declared, who also described the naval blockade as "a steel wall" and stated that the Iranians "are not getting anything, in any way, so they are out of business."
The statements come on the same day that Trump announced a temporary pause of the Freedom Project, the operation to escort commercial vessels through the Strait of Hormuz, launched just days earlier, citing "significant progress" in negotiations mediated by Pakistan.
The conflict dates back to February 28, 2026, when the U.S. and Israel launched Operation Epic Fury, which destroyed Iran's main nuclear facilities in Natanz, Isfahan, and Fordow, resulting in the death of Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei.
As retaliation, Iran closed the Strait of Hormuz—through which approximately 20% of the world's oil passes—stranding nearly 2,000 ships and driving the price of Brent crude from $67 to over $126 per barrel.
The price of gasoline in the U.S. surged by 50% following the onset of the conflict, according to data released this Wednesday.
After the failure of negotiations in Islamabad in mid-April, Trump ordered a total naval blockade against Iranian ports on April 13, 2026, a measure that has proven effective: Central Command reported that 19 Iranian vessels turned back without managing to evade U.S. forces.
On May 1, Iran sent the U.S. a 14-point peace plan in three phases, through Pakistan, which includes a pause of five to 15 years in uranium enrichment and war compensations totaling 270 billion dollars.
However, the positions remain far apart: Washington demands the complete dismantling of Iran's nuclear program and a 20-year moratorium, while Tehran is only offering a limited pause.
Trump made his position on Iran's room for maneuver clear: "We'll see if they agree. And if they don't, they will soon enough. That's how things are."
Secretary of State Marco Rubio also declared this Wednesday that combat operations in Iran have concluded, although the naval blockade remains in effect and the threat of a new military escalation lingers if negotiations do not succeed.
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