[STG_QA] Scheduled News Test

President Donald Trump stepped up pressure on Iran ahead of the end of the ceasefire, saying US forces fired on an Iranian cargo ship near the Strait of Hormuz. It remains unclear whether talks scheduled for April 20 will go ahead, as Iran has said it will not negotiate unless the US lifts its maritime blockade.

Trump wrote on Truth Social on April 19 that the US had intercepted an Iranian cargo vessel in the Gulf of Oman near the Strait of Hormuz as it tried to breach the maritime blockade and had taken control of it. He also said there was "a hole in the engine room" of the Iranian cargo ship, indicating the US Navy fired on and seized the vessel.

If no deal is reached this time, Trump said, "we will no longer play nice." He said the US had made a "very fair and reasonable" offer and hoped Iran would accept it. Otherwise, he added, 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 period 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 closing Hormuz again.

Focus is now on a second round of US-Iran talks expected to be held in Islamabad. The main issues are whether Iran will be allowed to maintain its nuclear program and whether nuclear material will be removed. The US is seeking to secure a full Iranian abandonment of its nuclear program, while Iran is demanding an end to the maritime blockade as a condition for returning to talks. The gap between the two sides remains wide.

Trump's seizure of the Iranian vessel and the reported gunfire could further inflame Iran's military and derail a resumption of talks. Axios reported that several Iranian officials said Trump's true intention may be to restart the war.

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

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