U.S. President Donald Trump said on the 17th (local time) that he could wrap up the cease-fire if a deal to negotiate an end to the war with Iran is not reached by the 22nd.
Reuters said Trump told reporters aboard Air Force One, his presidential plane returning to Washington, D.C., from Phoenix, Arizona, that he would "probably not extend the cease-fire" and that the "blockade (of Iranian waters) will remain in place."
Trump added, "If the blockade remains, unfortunately we will have to drop bombs again."
However, he told reporters, "Twenty minutes ago there was pretty good news from the Middle East that makes it look like the situation with Iran is going well." When asked what the good news was, he said, "You will find out soon," adding ambiguously, "I think it makes sense that it should happen."
In a phone interview with Axios the same day, Trump mentioned the possibility of follow-up talks with Iran over the weekend and said he "expects to reach a deal within one to two days."