U.S. President Donald Trump on Wednesday said Iran’s president had asked the United States for a ceasefire, but said Washington would only consider the offer once the Strait of Hormuz is “open, free, and clear.”
Trump made the statement on Truth Social, warning that until then the United States would continue heavy military action against Iran.
The announcement came just hours before Trump was scheduled to deliver what the White House described as an “important update on Iran” in an address to the nation set for 9 p.m. ET.
It was not immediately clear whether Iran would confirm or deny Trump’s claim that Tehran’s “new regime president” had requested a ceasefire. The two countries have repeatedly contradicted each other about the existence and progress of peace talks since the war began on Feb. 28.
It also remained unclear whether any ceasefire request was made directly to the United States or through an intermediary such as Pakistan.
Even if Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian requested a ceasefire, he may not have final authority, as Iran’s supreme leader holds ultimate power in the Islamic Republic.
The current supreme leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, has reportedly avoided public appearances since taking power following the killing of his father, former supreme leader Ali Khamenei, in an airstrike at the start of the war.
The White House did not immediately respond to requests for additional information.
The month-long conflict has triggered major economic turmoil and sharp swings in global energy prices, largely due to Iran’s ability to block the Strait of Hormuz, a key route for a significant portion of the world’s oil shipments. Trump has repeatedly said the waterway remains a major sticking point in the conflict, even as U.S. officials claim Iran’s military capabilities have been severely weakened and Washington is close to achieving its objectives.
