Odaily News U.S. President Trump stated that Iran's finances are collapsing, and they want to immediately open the Strait of Hormuz—urgently in need of cash, losing $5 billion daily. Iran's military and police are complaining about not receiving their salaries. (Jin10)

Odaily News Iran's Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Iravani, stated that Iran is prepared to resume negotiations, but this depends on the United States. Negotiations will only proceed if the U.S. lifts the blockade. This statement from Iravani came as U.S. President Trump announced an extension of the ceasefire with Iran. However, according to Iran's Tasnim News Agency, Iran did not request an extension of the ceasefire. An advisor to the Speaker of Iran's Islamic Parliament and former head of the negotiation delegation, Kalibaf, also expressed via social media that continued blockade is no different from bombardment and must be met with a military response. (CCTV)

Odaily News According to Al Jazeera reporter Alan Fisher, Trump has been inconsistent throughout the process regarding ceasefire and whether to take military action, which is not well-received in the market. All major U.S. stock indices closed lower due to market concerns over the uncertainty in the Middle East situation. However, some believe Trump's approach is correct, showing a degree of deliberation and weighing of options—a trait not typically associated with Trump, who is often seen as more impulsive and reactive. The market is currently awaiting Iran's response. (Jin10)

Odaily News New York Democratic Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez stated that she would rather see Trump "on the golf course" than in the Oval Office of the White House. These remarks were made following Trump's repeated strong threats against Iran. Cortez told reporters: "You know, obviously this guy is terrible at playing golf, but in a sense, we've seen that some of the most important military decision-makers domestically are trying to keep him away from major decisions. So, from a certain perspective, you might even prefer this guy to be on the golf course rather than in the Oval Office. But this also leads people to think about the 25th Amendment, meaning that if Trump is deemed untrustworthy in the situation room and in responding to emergencies, then he is unfit to be president." (Jin10)

Odaily News Trump has made it easier to transport oil within the United States by suspending a controversial maritime law, the Jones Act, during the Iran war—and now he wants to keep it that way. The 1920 law, known as the Jones Act, increases shipping costs between U.S. ports by requiring that goods be transported on U.S.-flagged vessels.

In response to rising fuel prices due to the Iran war, Trump issued a 60-day waiver of the law on March 18 to streamline oil transportation. According to data provided by the White House, since then, 40 oil tankers have been able to transport oil between U.S. ports from California to Texas, Florida, and Alaska, increasing the actual available fleet size by 70%, thereby helping to reduce costs. (Jin10)

Odaily News According to U.S. President Trump, Iran does not want to close the Strait of Hormuz. They want the strait open so they can earn $500 million per day; therefore, if it were closed, they would lose that money. The reason Iran says they want to close the strait is because I have completely blocked (closed) this strait, so they are just trying to "save face." Four days ago, someone came to me and said, "Iran wants to open the strait immediately." But if we do that, it would be impossible to ever reach an agreement with Iran unless we destroy other parts of their country, including their leaders. (Jin10)

Odaily News Iran's negotiation team has informed the United States through Pakistani intermediaries that, for various reasons, they will not travel to Islamabad, Pakistan on the 22nd, and there is currently no possibility of participating in the talks. Relevant sources pointed out that after Pakistan intervened in mediation and requested a ceasefire from the United States, Iran accepted the ceasefire agreement and agreed to hold follow-up negotiations to end the war based on a ten-point framework it proposed, which had been accepted by the United States. Pakistan also explicitly announced that the United States had accepted this framework. However, within days, the United States began to renege on its commitments. Furthermore, during the first round of talks held in Islamabad, the United States put forward many excessive demands, which in fact violated the initial framework, leading to a deadlock in that round of negotiations. Sources also stated that in the exchanges over the past few days, the US side has insisted on its excessive demands, which infringe upon the absolute rights of the Iranian people, and the exchanges between the two sides have not made any substantive progress. Therefore, Iran has finally announced today that under these circumstances, participating in the talks is a waste of time, as the United States is preventing the achievement of any substantive agreement.

Odaily News: An advisor to the Speaker of the Iranian Parliament stated that Trump's ceasefire extension is meaningless, and the losing side cannot dictate the terms. The continuation of the U.S. blockade is no different from bombing and must be met with a military response. Trump's extension of the ceasefire is undoubtedly to buy time for a surprise attack, and Iran must take the initiative to strike first.

Odaily According to a post by U.S. President Trump on "Truth Social" on the afternoon of April 21 local time, in response to requests from the Chief of Army Staff and the Prime Minister of Pakistan, the United States will temporarily suspend military strikes against Iran, extend the ceasefire period, and require Iran to first present a unified negotiation proposal. During this period, the U.S. military will continue to enforce a maritime blockade against Iran while maintaining a state of military readiness. He stated that the ceasefire will last until Iran submits its proposal and completes negotiations, "regardless of the outcome."