Trump says he won’t end Iran war ‘early’ without achieving US objectives: ‘Naval blockade more effective than bombing’

3 min read New Delhi Updated: May 2, 2026 11:07 AM IST US President Donald Trump. (AP Photo) US President Donald Trump on Saturday said he will not end the war on Iran “early” until Washington’s objectives in Iran are met. “There’s never been anything like it, and frankly, we’re doing just about as well in Iran. But I don’t like talking about it until the job is finished. Let’s not talk about anything until he gets finished,” Trump said in Florida, as quoted by Al Jazeera . “But think of it — their navy’s gone, their air force is gone, their whole place is gone. And then we get people to say that we’re not winning. We get the radical left to say we’re not winning. We’re not winning. They don’t have any military left. It’s unbelievable. It’s actually, I believe it’s treasonous,” he added. As the fragile ceasefire between Washington and Tehran remains in effect, Iran’s nuclear programme continues to be the key sticking point. Earlier this week, Washington rejected Iran’s offer to reopen the Strait of Hormuz on condition that the US lifted its blockade, while proposing that nuclear negotiations be deferred to a later phase. The US has placed a naval blockade on all Iranian ports since April in response to the Tehran’s chokehold on the Strait, which accounted for a fifth of global energy trade before the war began. Last week, Trump extended the ceasefire indefinitely. He told Axios on Thursday that the blockade was “somewhat more effective than the bombing.” Trump admin dodges Congress approval US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth on Friday told lawmakers that the ceasefire effectively “pauses” the May 1 deadline requiring Congressional approval. Democratic Senator Tim Kaine said that the War Powers Resolution 1973 does not support such interpretation. Trump’s announcement came after Associated Press reported that he wrote a letter to Congress arguing that hostilities with Iran have been “terminated,” in what appeared to be an attempt to dodge the legal requirement to gain Congressional approval to continue the campaign. Hours earlier, US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent reaffirmed that the US naval blockade will stay in place till the freedom of navigation is restored to “pre-February 27” levels. Story continues below this ad The US blockade of Iran ports is aimed at building pressure on Tehran as crude exports from the Strait are the lifeline for its cash-strapped economy. Trump told Axios on Thursday that the blockade was “somewhat more effective than the bombing”. The Express Global Desk at The Indian Express delivers authoritative, verified, and context-driven coverage of key international developments shaping global politics, policy, and migration trends. The desk focuses on stories with direct relevance for Indian and global audiences, combining breaking news with in-depth explainers and analysis. A major focus area of the desk is US immigration and visa policy, including developments related to student visas, work permits, permanent residency pathways, executive actions, and court rulings. The Global Desk also closely tracks Canada’s immigration, visa, and study policies, covering changes to study permits, post-study work options, permanent residence programmes, and regulatory updates affecting migrants and international students. All reporting from the Global Desk adheres to The Indian Express’ editorial standards, relying on official data, government notifications, court documents, and on-record sources. The desk prioritises clarity, accuracy, and accountability, ensuring readers can navigate complex global systems with confidence. Core Team The Express Global Desk is led by a team of experienced journalists and editors with deep expertise in international affairs and migration policy: Aniruddha Dhar – Senior Assistant Editor with extensive experience in global affairs, international politics, and editorial leadership. Nischai Vats – Deputy Copy Editor specialising in US politics, US visa and immigration policy, and policy-driven international coverage. Mashkoora Khan – Sub-editor focusing on global developments, with a strong emphasis on Canada visa, immigration, and study-related policy coverage. ... Read More Stay updated with the latest - Click here to follow us on Instagram © IE Online Media Services Pvt Ltd Tags: Iran-Israel War