US President Donald Trump said Washington is engaged in discussions with what he described as a “new, and more reasonable” leadership in Iran, while warning of severe retaliation if the Strait of Hormuz is not reopened.
The remarks come amid continuing conflict involving the United States, Israel and Iran, with tensions centred on military operations and disruptions to global energy routes.
In a statement posted on Truth Social, Trump said, “The United States of America is in serious discussions with a new, and more reasonable, regime to end our military operations in Iran,” adding that “great progress has been made” and expressing confidence that a deal could be reached.
However, he coupled the remarks with a warning, saying that if the Strait of Hormuz is not “immediately open for business,” the United States would escalate its military response.
Trump said Washington could “blow up and completely obliterate” Iran’s electric generating plants, oil wells and Kharg Island, describing such action as retaliation for what he termed American losses and Iran’s long-standing hostility.
The Strait of Hormuz, a key global shipping route, handles roughly 20 percent of the world’s oil and gas supplies, making its closure a significant concern for international markets.
Iran has effectively restricted movement through the waterway since the escalation of hostilities, contributing to volatility in global energy prices.
Iran, meanwhile, rejected proposals conveyed by the United States through intermediaries, calling them unrealistic and one-sided.
Foreign ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei said the offers presented to Tehran were “unrealistic, unreasonable and excessive,” according to remarks reported by regional media.
Trump also suggested that recent developments amounted to a form of “regime change,” citing the killing of senior Iranian figures during the conflict.
“We’re dealing with different people than anybody’s dealt with before,” he told reporters, adding that the current leadership represented a “whole different group.”
He said he remained confident that an agreement could be reached despite the ongoing tensions.
The conflict intensified following US and Israeli strikes on Iran last month, leading to retaliatory actions and disruption of maritime routes.
The Strait of Hormuz remains a critical chokepoint for global energy supplies, and any prolonged closure is likely to have wide-ranging economic implications.
Diplomatic efforts have continued through indirect channels, though key differences between Washington and Tehran remain unresolved.
