Trump: "I can't say whether the offensive is easing... The United States should collect tolls for Hormuz"

[Financial News]

Donald Trump said on the 6th (local time) that he "cannot say" whether the war with Iran is coming to an end. He stressed that whether the war ends depends on Iran, not the United States.
He warned that the negotiation deadline set for the night of the 7th still stands, and that if Iran does not agree or fails to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, Iran will be wiped out that night.
At the same time, President Trump hinted that Iran is actively taking part in talks to end the war.
He also argued that the United States, not Iran, should receive any tolls for passage through the Strait of Hormuz.

According to Cable News Network (CNN) and other foreign media, Trump made it clear at the White House press conference that ending the war with Iran depends on Iran’s attitude, not on the United States.
Asked whether the situation is moving into a phase to end the war or toward escalation, he replied, "I can't say," adding, "It depends on their actions." Trump went on to say, "This is a very important moment."
Trump again underscored the deadline for reopening the Strait of Hormuz, saying, "It’s until 8 p.m. tomorrow night. I extended it," and stressed that the strait must be reopened by then.
Referring to the fact that the original deadline had been set for the 6th, he explained, "That day was the day after Easter, so it was inappropriate. I want to be a good person," describing why he postponed it.
Trump added, "Now we will see what happens," and said, "I can tell you they are negotiating. We will find a solution in an atmosphere of mutual trust."

Trump insisted that tolls for using the Strait of Hormuz should be collected by the United States, not Iran.
He began by asking, "How about if we impose tolls?" and then said, "Rather than letting them do it, I would rather be the one to do it."
Iran has long pushed to impose tolls for passage through the strait and approved the plan last month.
Trump argued, however, that because the United States has been militarily successful in the current war with Iran, it is the United States that should receive the tolls.

Trump revealed that operational plans to destroy Iran’s power plants, bridges, and other infrastructure have already been completed.
He warned that if these plans are carried out, Iran will be destroyed on the night of the 7th.
He said, "At midnight that night, it will completely collapse," adding, "If we want, it will take only four hours." However, Trump also said, "We do not want that to happen."

Trump stressed that reopening the Strait of Hormuz must be included as one of the conditions for ending the war with Iran.
He said, "There has to be a deal that I can accept," and explained, "That deal must include free passage for everything, including oil."
Meanwhile, a mediation proposal that intermediary countries conveyed to Iran through Pakistan was rejected.
Iran refused the cease-fire proposal, saying it wanted a complete end to the war, not just a truce.
President Trump described the mediation proposal as an important step forward but said it was "not enough," warning Iran that it should be prepared for massive airstrikes after the negotiation deadline.

dympna@fnnews.com Song Kyung-jae Reporter