WASHINGTON: US President Donald Trump has claimed that Iran has told the United States it is on the verge of destruction, as diplomatic maneuvers intensify over the reopening of the strategic Strait of Hormuz.
In a statement released on social media, Trump said that Iran wants the US to open the strait as soon as possible. However, US media reports indicate that the Iranian proposal—which calls for immediately opening the Strait of Hormuz and discussing the nuclear program at a later stage—has been presented to President Trump, and he is not inclined to accept it.
Meanwhile, CNN has reported that the United States and Iran are not as far apart as they appear, with intensive back-channel diplomacy taking place between the two countries.
It has also emerged that Iran has presented new proposals to the US through Pakistan. These proposals include an initial ceasefire followed by a guarantee of a permanent ceasefire.
According to sources, Iran has made the offer to open the Strait of Hormuz conditional on the lifting of the US blockade. Tehran has further stated that if these conditions are met, talks on the Iranian nuclear program could follow—provided that the United States recognizes Iran’s right to enrich uranium for peaceful purposes.
The claims come amid ongoing energy market volatility, with the World Bank recently warning of a 24 percent increase in energy prices in 2026 due to disruptions in the region
