The Daily Populous Thursday April 16th, 2026 night edition
Authored by independent.co.uk and submitted by JKKIDD231

Close Trump says Iran was is 'very close to over'

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The White House has denied it requested an extended ceasefire in the Iran war as Tehran has warned it will completely block exports and imports across the Persian Gulf region, the Sea of Oman and the Red Sea if the US does not lift its blockade.

"Iran will act with strength to defend its national sovereignty and its interests”, Ali Abdollahi, commander of Iran's joint military command, said, adding that the blockade was "a prelude to violating the ceasefire”.

White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt told reporters Wednesday reports ​that the US has requested an extended ceasefire in the Iran war are wrong, ⁠but added that discussions about a second round of talks with the Iranians were ongoing and productive.

It came after Donald Trump announced that he was “permanently opening the Strait of Hormuz” and claimed that Chinese president Xi Jinping would give him a “big, fat hug” when they met.

The US military earlier claimed it had “maritime superiority in the Middle East” since it began a blockade on Monday, in response to failed US-Iran talks in Islamabad over the weekend.

Stilnovisti on April 15th, 2026 at 14:36 UTC »

All the neocons trying to convince us for the past 45+ days that this was a brilliant scheme to deny China oil better come out and explain this one. Also, if he just wanted a world leader hug, PM Modi would have been happy to oblige once more.

Intro-Nimbus on April 15th, 2026 at 14:28 UTC »

He's going to open up the strait for China when it was never closed to china?

JKKIDD231 on April 15th, 2026 at 14:24 UTC »

SS: “China is very happy that I am permanently opening the Strait of Hormuz. I am doing it for them, also - And the World. This situation will never happen again. They have agreed not to send weapons to Iran. President Xi will give me a big, fat, hug when I get there in a few weeks. We are working together smartly, and very well! Doesn’t that beat fighting??? BUT REMEMBER, we are very good at fighting, if we have to - far better than anyone else!!! President DJT”