Trump ties ceasefire talks to reopening of Strait of Hormuz

US President Donald Trump wrote on Truth Social that Iran had asked the United States for a ceasefire, adding that Washington would only consider such a move once the Strait of Hormuz is ‘open, free and clear’.

Tehran has not commented on the claim, and it remains unclear whom Trump meant when he referred to a ‘new regime president’. He described the figure as ‘much less radicalised and much more intelligent than his predecessors’.

Trump said the United States would continue to apply pressure until conditions in the region changed, warning that strikes would continue in the meantime. In his statement, he also used highly aggressive language, saying the US was ‘blasting Iran into oblivion’ and threatening to push it ‘back to the Stone Ages’.

Iran has previously signalled a willingness to negotiate if it receives assurances that the conflict will not resume.

The conflict began in late February with strikes by the United States and Israel and has since spread to Gulf states.

Trump also indicated that US forces could withdraw in the near term, while retaining the option to return for precision strikes. He criticised NATO and said Washington was considering leaving the alliance.

(reuters, pir)