Trump: Has Time and Will for Peace Talks, Denies Anxiety Over Iran Invasion

President Trump stated on April 21-22 that he has "all the time in the world" to broker an end to the Iran conflict, extending the ceasefire while maintaining the naval blockade of the Strait of Hormuz . Trump claimed Iran's military has been severely degraded since the February 28 US-Israel airstrikes that began the conflict, and said a deal will only be struck when it is "beneficial for the United States, its allies, and the rest of the world." Hours before the ceasefire extension, he had warned Iran that time was running out before a "massive attack," underscoring the administration's negotiating volatility.

The geopolitical stakes are significant for global markets. Brent crude has surged to approximately $98 per barrel — up more than 55% since the conflict began — as the blockade has effectively suspended Iran's $500 million daily oil export revenue. Senator Lindsey Graham is urging escalation, predicting the blockade "will be growing" and warning China, Russia, and India that assisting Iran's oil trade would be "at your own peril." Trump's ceasefire extension has provided a short-term pressure relief on oil prices, but the structural supply disruption remains unresolved.

For equity markets, the conflict has been a clear tailwind for defense names: the iShares U.S. Aerospace and Defense ETF (ITA) has returned 66% over the past year as Lockheed Martin, RTX, and Northrop Grumman booked record orders . Trump's proposed 2027 military budget of $1.5 trillion signals sustained multi-year defense spending. Conversely, energy-intensive sectors and consumer discretionary face margin headwinds from elevated fuel costs. The next inflection point is whether Iran presents a "unified proposal" — the precondition Trump named for advancing talks — before diplomatic patience runs out.