[STG_QA] This Is a Scheduled News Article

President Donald Trump escalated pressure on Iran ahead of the expiration of a ceasefire, saying US forces fired on an Iranian cargo ship near the Strait of Hormuz. Iran, however, has said it will not negotiate unless the US lifts its maritime blockade, leaving talks scheduled for April 20 uncertain.

In a Truth Social post on April 19, Trump said the US intercepted an Iranian cargo vessel in the Gulf of Oman near the Strait of Hormuz as it tried to break the maritime blockade and had it under US control. He also wrote that the ship's engine room had been pierced, indicating the US Navy fired on and seized the vessel.

Trump said that if no agreement is reached this time, "we will no longer play nice." He added that the US had made "a very fair and reasonable offer" and hoped Iran would accept it. Otherwise, he said, the US would destroy all of Iran's power plants and bridges "instantly" and "easily."

The US and Iran had appeared to be entering a phase of easing tensions after a ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon took effect on April 17 and Iran declared the Strait of Hormuz open. But Trump kept the maritime blockade on Iran in place, and Tehran called that a violation of the ceasefire agreement before shutting Hormuz again.

Attention is now focused on a second round of US-Iran talks said to be planned in Islamabad. The key issues are whether Iran will be allowed to maintain its nuclear program and whether nuclear materials will be removed from the country. The US is seeking to secure Iran's abandonment of its nuclear program, while Iran is using the prospect of resumed talks to demand the lifting of the maritime blockade. The two sides remain far apart.

Some observers say Trump's seizure of and gunfire at the Iranian vessel could further inflame Iran's military and derail a return to negotiations. Axios reported that several Iranian officials said Trump's real intention may be to resume the war.

Park Su-rim, Hankyung.com reporter paksr365@hankyung.com