Trump Calls Emergency Meeting Over Iran Ultimatum

• 19.04.2026, 8:25

The possibility of a new escalation has arisen.

US President Donald Trump has called an emergency meeting in the White House Situation Room as there is a threat of renewed war with Iran in just a few days.

Axios reports Axios.

On the morning of April 18, Trump gathered key officials at the White House. There were U.S. Vice President J.D. Vance, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and Secretary of War Pete Hegseth.

The reason for the urgent meeting was Tehran's announcement that it was closing the Strait of Hormuz and attacking ships. It came less than 24 hours after Trump's optimistic predictions about the possibility of a deal.

The ceasefire expires in three days. According to U.S. officials, if there is no diplomatic breakthrough soon, large-scale fighting could resume as early as next week.

"Iran got a little angry ... They wanted to close the strait again. But this country can't blackmail us," Trump later told reporters in the Oval Office.

Despite the escalation in the strait, sources say the sides have made some progress on Iran's nuclear program, particularly on its stockpile of enriched uranium. Tehran is now considering new US proposals, relayed through Pakistan's mediation.

Trump said Washington is continuing negotiations and it will be clear by the end of the day whether an agreement will be signed. Pakistan's army commander Asim Munir, who visited Tehran this week, is playing a key role in the mediation.

"Iran's Supreme National Security Council said on Saturday that the US has presented new proposals during the talks and Iran is considering them but has not yet responded," the publication added.