US President Donald Trump made another bold claim on Wednesday that the “president of Iran’s new regime” had “asked for a ceasefire”.
In his Truth Social post, Trump stated that the US would consider Iran’s ‘ceasefire request’ when the “Strait of Hormuz is open, free and clear”.
Here you can follow the latest developments in the conflict between the US and Iran
“The President of Iran’s New Regime, much less radicalized and much more intelligent than his predecessors, has just asked the United States of America for a cease-fire! We will consider when the Strait of Hormuz is open, free and clean. Until then, we will consign Iran to oblivion, or as they say, back to the Stone Age!!! President DJT,” Trump’s post read.
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer said earlier today that the UK will coordinate a diplomatic push to reopen the Strait of Hormuz as the US-Israeli war with Iran threatens to derail economies around the world and fracture the transatlantic alliance.
Why is the Strait of Hormuz in the spotlight?
The Strait of Hormuz is a narrow and crucial passage that has become the focus of an ongoing conflict involving Iran, the United States and Israel.
An important waterway, the strait connects the oil-rich Persian Gulf with the rest of the world. About a fifth of global energy supplies normally pass through it.
Iran has reportedly attacked ships in the strait, leading to a drop in tanker traffic – since the conflict began on Saturday 28 February.
Before the conflict, more than 130 ships passed through each day. Now only 3-4 ships can get through per day. Many vessels have been stranded nearby, and more than 20 commercial ships are said to have been attacked since the start of the war.
Iran has not closed the strait completely, but has effectively imposed a selective blockade. He has restricted access for the US, Israel and their allies, while allowing ships from countries he deems “friendly” to pass through. These include India, China, Russia, Iraq and Pakistan, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said.
The UAE is reportedly preparing to help the United States and other allies open a key waterway by force, The Wall Street Journal reported on Tuesday, March 31, citing Arab officials.
