US President Donald Trump has determined that Iran's seizure of ships in the Strait of Hormuz does not constitute a ceasefire violation, the White House said.
Spokesperson Karoline Leavitt stated that the president does not view the seizures as violations of the truce he unilaterally extended on Tuesday, "because these were not US ships. These were not Israeli ships."
"These were two international vessels," Leavitt said in an interview with Fox News.
She accused the media of "blowing this out of proportion" to discredit the president's claim that he completely obliterated Iran's conventional navy.
She added that the US naval blockade "continues to be incredibly effective."
"Not in a rush"
Trump imposed the blockade to prevent Iran from charging tolls in the Strait of Hormuz, applying it to all vessels entering or leaving Iranian ports.
On Wednesday, Iran seized at least two ships in the waterway.
The Wall Street Journal reported that the Greek-owned Epaminondas and the Francesca were fired on before being escorted to Iranian waters, while a third ship, the Euphoria, remains stranded.
Fox News anchor Martha MacCallum reported that Trump dismissed the rumoured three-to-five-day window for the extended ceasefire as "not true."
Trump said he is "not in a rush" and wants the best deal, adding that the US military blockade "scares the Iranians more than the bombing."
Leavitt confirmed this, telling reporters: "The president has not set a deadline himself. Ultimately, he will dictate the timetable."
She concluded that the administration understands Iran is in a "very weak position" and that "the cards are in President Trump's hands."
