Speaking at the White House on Wednesday, Trump said the United States “will not allow Iran to obtain a nuclear weapon,” adding that Washington had “strong support” for its position. He announced what he described as a strengthened naval blockade, referred to as the “Steel Wall.”

Trump said the United States would “seize more Iranian oil tankers,” adding that “no one can break through the naval blockade” imposed on Iran and that additional Iranian vessels “will be intercepted unless Tehran shows real commitment and changes its behaviour.”

Addressing lawmakers at the White House, Trump also said the United States would “end the war very quickly” with Iran, reiterating that Tehran would not be permitted to possess nuclear weapons.

Iran’s foreign ministry, however, said Tehran was currently focused on “ending the war on all fronts, especially Lebanon,” while insisting it continued negotiations “in good faith.” The ministry said Washington must demonstrate seriousness in any diplomatic process.

The ministry described the US naval measures as “a violation of the ceasefire and contrary to international law,” dismissing discussions of ultimatums or deadlines imposed on Iran as “ridiculous.”

It added that coastal states have the right to prevent “aggressor states” from crossing the Strait of Hormuz and called for mechanisms regulating passage through the strategic waterway to ensure maritime security and environmental protection. Tehran also demanded the release of frozen Iranian assets and an end to what it described as “maritime piracy against Iranian shipping.”

In a further escalation, Iran’s Revolutionary Guards warned that any renewed attack on Iran would not remain confined within its borders. In a statement carried by Tasnim news agency, the Guards said the “American-Zionist enemy” had failed to learn from repeated strategic defeats, adding that Iran had “not yet used all of its capabilities” despite confronting the United States and Israel.

Iranian state television later reported that five large oil tankers had received authorisation from the Revolutionary Guards to pass through the Strait of Hormuz, highlighting continued tensions surrounding one of the world’s most critical energy shipping routes.

Elsewhere in the region, Jordan’s military said it had shot down an unidentified drone that entered the country’s airspace over Jerash province on Wednesday morning, adding that there were no casualties and only minor material damage.

In the Gulf, the United Arab Emirates called on Iraq to prevent “any hostile acts” launched from its territory following a recent drone attack targeting the UAE’s Barakah nuclear power plant. In a statement, the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs urged Baghdad to take immediate and unconditional action to prevent “all hostile acts originating from its territory” and address the threats responsibly in accordance with international law.

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Speaking to reporters at the White House, Trump said he had been “one hour away” from authorising military action against Iran before deciding to suspend it, adding that strikes “would be happening right now” had there not been what he described as positive developments in contacts with Tehran.

“I’ll give it two or three days, maybe Friday or Saturday or Sunday, or maybe next week, but it is a limited period of time, because we cannot allow them to have a nuclear weapon,” Trump said. He added there was a “very good chance” of reaching an agreement with Iran, but warned: “I hope we don’t have to do more military work, but we may have to deliver another strong strike.”

Trump’s comments followed weeks of confrontation involving reciprocal attacks between the United States, Israel and Iran, including strikes targeting military sites, infrastructure, and energy facilities, with spillover effects across Gulf states and key maritime routes.

In Tehran, Deputy Foreign Minister for Legal and International Affairs Kazem Gharibabadi said Iran was prepared to confront any military aggression and would “not surrender”. He accused Washington of presenting military pressure as an opportunity for peace, stating: “For us, there is no concept of surrender. We either win or are martyred.”

Iranian army spokesman Mohammad Akraminia said Iran “cannot be besieged or defeated” and warned of opening new fronts using “surprising tools” if the country came under attack again.

Meanwhile, General Ali Abdollahi, head of Iran’s Khatam al-Anbiya wartime operations headquarters, warned the United States and Israel against any new “miscalculation”, saying Iranian forces were “more prepared and powerful than ever” and would respond “quickly, decisively, forcefully and broadly” to further aggression.

Alongside escalating rhetoric, diplomatic efforts continued. Iran’s Foreign Ministry said Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi discussed initiatives to end the conflict with Mohsin Naqvi in Tehran, arguing that “contradictory US positions and excessive demands” were obstructing diplomacy.

Araqchi thanked Pakistan for its mediation efforts, while Naqvi expressed hope that Islamabad’s engagement would help restore regional stability.

In Qatar, a foreign ministry spokesperson said Doha fully supported Pakistan’s mediation between Washington and Tehran, stressing that priorities remained preventing renewed hostilities, restoring stability, and achieving a sustainable resolution rather than a temporary ceasefire.

The spokesperson also emphasised the importance of preserving freedom of navigation through the Strait of Hormuz, saying obstruction of the waterway would violate international law.

He noted that the recent transit of two Qatari gas tankers through the strait did not indicate a return to normal shipping conditions, adding that regional and international contacts remained focused on reopening maritime routes and stabilising trade flows.

In the United Arab Emirates, the defence ministry said air defence systems had intercepted six drones targeting civilian and strategic locations over the past 48 hours.

The ministry added that investigations into Sunday’s attack on the Barakah Nuclear Power Plant found it involved three drones launched from Iraqi territory. Two were intercepted, while the third struck an electricity generator outside the facility’s inner perimeter.

The UAE said it reserved the right to take all necessary measures to protect its sovereignty and national security, stressing that its armed forces remained prepared to confront any threats.

In Israel, the newspaper Israel Hayom reported that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu held another security cabinet meeting to discuss the possibility of renewed military action against Iran; the second such meeting within 24 hours.

The developments underscored the simultaneous escalation of military threats and diplomatic engagement surrounding the crisis. Trump said a breakthrough could come soon either through an agreement or renewed military action, reiterating that Iran would “never” obtain a nuclear weapon, while also acknowledging uncertainty over whether the United States would ultimately strike again.

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Speaking on state television, Pezeshkian said Iran’s “dignity and honour will not be sacrificed for comfort or worldly interests,” adding: “We will stand firm until the last breath with dignity and honour, while continuing negotiations and resolutely defending the rights of our dear people.”

His remarks came as the naval forces of the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) announced the establishment of a new body, the “Persian Gulf Strait Authority”, tasked with overseeing maritime traffic through the Strait of Hormuz and levying transit charges on passing vessels, a move likely to intensify global concerns over shipping security and energy supplies moving through one of the world’s most important oil chokepoints.

Despite the escalation, signs emerged that diplomatic efforts remain active. Iran’s semi-official Tasnim news agency reported that Tehran had submitted an updated 14-point proposal to the United States through Pakistani mediation after amending an earlier US proposal containing the same number of points. According to Tasnim, the revised Iranian proposal focuses on ending the conflict and establishing confidence-building measures from Washington’s side.

Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmail Baghaei said negotiations with the United States were continuing through the Pakistani channel, dismissing speculation surrounding uranium enrichment and nuclear materials. He said both sides had exchanged proposals and comments without providing further details.

In Washington, US President Donald Trump sharpened his rhetoric towards Tehran, warning that “the clock is ticking” for Iran and saying it must move “very fast or there will be nothing left of them.” He also wrote on his Truth Social platform that time was running out for Iran to reach an agreement.

CNN, citing a source familiar with the matter, reported that Trump’s patience was wearing thin over Iran’s handling of negotiations and the continued closure of the Strait of Hormuz, which has disrupted global oil markets. The report added that Trump had more seriously considered resuming military operations in recent days as a means of increasing pressure on Tehran, although he still preferred a diplomatic resolution.

Meanwhile, Trump held a phone call with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu regarding developments linked to Iran, while Saudi Arabia said it reserved the right to respond after intercepting three drones that entered its airspace from Iraq.

A spokesperson for Saudi Arabia’s defence ministry said the drones had been intercepted and destroyed, adding that the kingdom would “take all necessary operational measures” to address any threat to its security and sovereignty.

Qatar also condemned the drone incident, describing it as “a violation of Saudi sovereignty and a threat to regional security,” while reaffirming its full solidarity with Riyadh.

Underscoring growing regional concern, Pakistan deployed 8,000 troops, a squadron of fighter jets and an air defence system to Saudi Arabia under a bilateral defence agreement, according to security officials and government sources, as Islamabad continues to serve as a principal mediator between Washington and Tehran.

On the diplomatic front, Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty held a phone call with Massad Boulos, senior adviser to the US president for Arab and African affairs, to discuss efforts to reduce regional tensions. Abdelatty stressed the importance of resuming dialogue between the United States and Iran to reach understandings that could help avert a broader regional conflict.

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The reliance on deceptive maritime practices to circumvent the blockade, which was imposed in mid-April to choke off Tehran’s oil revenues and restrict its regional financing, comes as the US Navy deploys extensive forces to the region. China remains the world’s largest importer of Iranian oil, and the ongoing trade coincides with recent meetings between US President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping.

The continued flow of crude has prompted US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent to accuse Beijing of “effectively funding terrorism” by maintaining its purchases of Iranian oil, according to the New York Times.

To grant Washington the capacity to monitor and intercept Asia-bound vessels, the US Navy has pushed significant forces into the region, beginning in the Gulf of Oman. US officials state the blockade has achieved substantial results, with more than 70 vessels intercepted since operations commenced. These include interventions near the Iranian coast and at significant distances in the Indian Ocean. Notably, US forces seized the tanker Majestic X, which was carrying an Iranian oil cargo destined for China, more than 2,000 miles from the Gulf of Oman.

However, a New York Times analysis of shipping data and satellite imagery demonstrates that several oil-laden vessels departing Iranian ports concurrently with or following the blockade’s implementation have successfully maintained their routes to East Asia.

Sophisticated Concealment Tactics

To evade detection, these vessels employ a variety of concealment methods, including deactivating tracking devices, spoofing geographical locations, sailing under false flags, and conducting ship-to-ship transfers at sea to obscure the true origin of the cargo. According to maritime intelligence firm Windward, the number of vessels utilising such deceptive practices surged by 600% between April 19 and May 3.

A prominent example is the Iranian supertanker Huge, which loaded approximately 2m barrels of crude from Kharg Island, Iran’s primary export terminal, before crossing the Strait of Hormuz in early April. Satellite imagery indicates the vessel departed the Gulf of Oman around April 13, almost exactly as the US blockade was enforced. The tanker kept its tracker deactivated for nearly its entire journey, briefly switching it on in early May when it appeared off the Indonesian coast in the Lombok Strait.

Captain Tim Hawkins, a spokesperson for US Central Command, stated that Washington does not consider the Huge to have evaded the blockade, as its crossing predated official enforcement. Conversely, the New York Times noted that US forces intercepted and seized another vessel carrying Iranian crude, the MT Tiffany, in the Indian Ocean on April 21, despite it also leaving the Gulf of Oman prior to the blockade’s imposition.

Satellite imagery tracked the Huge near Sri Lanka on April 23 before it continued north along the Vietnamese coast, with estimates suggesting it is bound for China or waters near Hong Kong. The vessel’s route is significant as it navigated the Indonesian Lombok Strait rather than the more frequently used Malacca Strait. Ami Daniel, chief executive of Windward, observed that an increasing number of Iran-linked vessels are adopting this route to minimise detection.

Describing the level of US focus on the blockade as “unprecedented,” Daniel added: “I do not think a 300-metre tanker can leave the Strait of Hormuz without being detected.” He suggested that some vessels successfully transiting the region may have secured understandings or waivers from US authorities for humanitarian or other considerations.

Electronic Spoofing and Covert Transfers

The US-sanctioned tanker Atomis utilised electronic spoofing to mask its location while loading Iranian crude. On April 2, tracking data positioned the vessel in Kuwait, whilst satellite imagery confirmed its presence at Kharg Island. The ship, which was falsely flying the Comoros flag, changed its name from Davit to Atomis just one day before crossing the US blockade zone.

Captain Hawkins asserted that electronic spoofing operations have not impeded the US Navy’s enforcement capabilities, noting that Washington relies on multiple monitoring means, including radio frequency data and radar-based satellite imagery. Analysts project the Atomis, which continued its journey across the Indian Ocean to a waiting area near Hong Kong, will likely transfer its cargo to another vessel.

Smaller vessels are proving highly manoeuvrable, frequently executing ship-to-ship transfers at sea. The US does not classify these transfers as a direct violation of the blockade, which prioritises vessels entering or exiting Iranian ports. The Salute Legend, a small Hong Kong-flagged tanker, used spoofing techniques to disguise its true location. According to a Lloyd’s List report, the vessel likely received Iranian oil from another tanker in the Gulf of Oman before sailing east to the Chinese port of Quanzhou.

The analysis indicates at least eight small Iran-linked vessels have departed the Gulf of Oman for Asia since the blockade began, with half believed to have engaged in ship-to-ship oil transfers in the Gulf or off the Malaysian coast. The waters near Malaysia have served as a primary hub for covert Iranian oil transfers for several years.

Floating Storage Declines

Despite the continued flow of some shipments to Asia, analysts assess the US blockade is actively impacting the volume of Iranian oil stored on vessels at sea.

According to data from Kpler, a global crude tracking firm, the volume of Iranian oil stored on tankers off the coast of Malaysia has dropped from approximately 85m barrels in early February to 51m barrels currently. This decline indicatesthat a significant portion of the floating inventory is no longer being replenished with fresh shipments at its previous pace.

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Iran’s Fars News Agency, citing an informed source, reported that Tehran had rejected a 14-point US proposal, describing it as an attempt to “impose surrender” while continuing a policy of coercion and threats.

According to the report, Iran would not participate in a second round of negotiations unless Washington fulfilled five key confidence-building conditions, although the details of those demands were not disclosed.

In further signs of Tehran’s increasingly hardline stance, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said “the enemies’ dreams of our people’s surrender and submission will never come true.”

Meanwhile, Alaeddin Boroujerdi, a member of parliament’s national security committee, said Iran would “never give up the strategic gain of the Strait of Hormuz” and would not engage in any discussions on halting uranium enrichment.

Boroujerdi described the current ceasefire as “fragile and unreliable,” warning that clashes could resume at any moment and stressing that Tehran would not yield to US demands.

As fears of a collapse in the truce intensified, the International Energy Agency (IEA) said the world was consuming oil reserves at a record pace due to the war’s impact, forecasting a decline of around 3.9 million barrels per day in global oil supplies during 2026 because of disruptions linked to Iran.

In its monthly report, the agency said the region had already lost more than one billion barrels of oil supplies since the conflict began. It warned that a closure of the Strait of Hormuz could remove up to 12.8 million barrels per day from global markets, potentially triggering one of the largest energy shocks in decades.

Against this backdrop, several countries announced plans to contribute to maritime security arrangements in the Gulf.

Australian Defence Minister Richard Marles said Canberra would join a “purely defensive” mission led by Britain and France to secure navigation through the Strait of Hormuz, deploying a Boeing E-7 Wedgetail surveillance aircraft.

South Korea also said it was considering “gradual” support measures that could include intelligence sharing, personnel and military resources, while stressing that such involvement would not amount to direct military participation.

Italy, meanwhile, said it could deploy two warships near the Gulf, but only after a “real, credible and stable” ceasefire had been established.

India announced the launch of a $1.5bn maritime insurance guarantee fund aimed at shielding its shipping sector from war- and sanctions-related risks, underscoring growing global concern over trade security and shipping routes.

Diplomatically, Pakistan continued to play a central mediating role between Washington and Tehran, with growing backing from China.

China’s Foreign Minister Wang Yi praised Islamabad’s efforts to facilitate US-Iran talks and expressed hope for a “proper solution” to the Strait of Hormuz crisis.

In the Gulf, tensions escalated further after the United Arab Emirates and Kuwait condemned what they described as an infiltration attempt by members of Iran’s Revolutionary Guards on Kuwait’s Bubiyan Island, which reportedly wounded a Kuwaiti serviceman.

Meanwhile, The Wall Street Journal reported that David Barnea, head of Israel’s Mossad intelligence agency, visited the UAE at least twice during the war to coordinate matters related to the campaign against Iran.

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Mohammad Akbarzadeh, deputy commander of the naval forces of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, said the geographical concept of the Strait of Hormuz was no longer confined to the traditional area around Hormuz and Hengam islands, but now extended across a broader strategic zone stretching from the coasts of Jask and Sirik to beyond Iran’s major islands.

Speaking to Iranian state television, Akbarzadeh said Tehran was monitoring US military movements in the region “with precision and capability” and would not allow attacks on its waters or interests. He added that Iran had previously “taught the Americans a lesson” during earlier tanker confrontations in the Gulf.

The remarks come amid mounting international concern over security in the Strait of Hormuz, through which roughly one-fifth of global oil trade passes, as tensions between Iran and the United States persist despite a fragile ceasefire reportedly mediated by Pakistan.

In a separate escalation, Ebrahim Rezaei, spokesperson for the Iranian parliament’s national security and foreign policy committee, said uranium enrichment to 90% purity “could be one of Iran’s options” if the country faced another attack, a level considered close to weapons grade.

Writing on X, Rezaei said parliament could discuss the option in the event of renewed attacks, reflecting growing pressure inside Iran for a tougher nuclear stance as diplomatic efforts falter.

On the US side, Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth said the ceasefire with Iran remained in place, adding that Washington was “winning the war against Iran” and that ending it would happen “on our terms.” He also said Operation Freedom, the naval mission escorting ships through the Strait of Hormuz, could resume if President Donald Trump decides to reactivate it.

Pentagon officials meanwhile said the cost of the conflict with Iran had risen to $29bn, amid growing questions in Washington over the financial and strategic burden of prolonged military involvement in the region.

In Israel, military options against Iran’s nuclear programme returned to the spotlight after Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu hinted at the possibility of securing Iranian nuclear materials “either through an agreement or through special operations,” reviving comparisons with past Israeli covert operations in the region.

Regionally, Kuwait’s interior ministry announced the arrest of four men accused of belonging to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps after they allegedly attempted to infiltrate Bubiyan Island by sea to carry out “hostile acts,” according to an official statement. Authorities said a clash with Kuwaiti forces left one serviceman injured.

Meanwhile, Qatar and Türkiye called for avoiding the use of the Strait of Hormuz as a “political or military weapon” and voiced support for Pakistan’s mediation efforts between Washington and Tehran.

Qatari Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani said during a joint press conference in Doha with Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan that the region was passing through “extremely sensitive circumstances” requiring closer political and diplomatic coordination.

Pakistan also rejected US media reports claiming Iranian aircraft were present at Noor Khan Airbase, describing the reports as “misleading” and aimed at undermining ongoing mediation efforts between Tehran and Washington.

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At the outset, several key realities must be acknowledged. Iran views the current regional landscape as temporary rather than permanent, tied largely to whatever remains of US President Donald Trump’s time in the White House – at most 30 months, including the final six months during which Trump would effectively become a “lame duck” ahead of the next presidential election. Tehran also regards the nuclear file as a supreme strategic asset that may be delayed under current pressure, but can never be surrendered – especially after the recent war reinforced the belief that, had Iran possessed a nuclear deterrent, neither Washington nor Tel Aviv would have dared to attack it.

Iran believes its nuclear programme can be technologically contained and suffocated for a limited period. Yet it also understands that once a state reaches the stage of independent technical mastery over a nuclear programme, material blockades become ineffective and may instead stimulate domestic innovation. This process was aided by neighbouring Pakistan, whose scientist Abdul Qadeer Khan previously transferred substantial nuclear expertise to Tehran. Added to this is Iran’s rugged geography, which serves as both a natural shield and a tactical advantage. The dispersal of enrichment facilities across fortified mountainous terrain and underground sites complicates aerial and satellite surveillance while significantly reducing the effectiveness of direct military action or strict international monitoring.

What applies to the nuclear file applies even more strongly to the ballistic missile programme. Both can be revived or further developed regardless of monitoring mechanisms. The real strategic prize, however, lies in controlling the Strait of Hormuz, a geopolitical opportunity Iran believes may never be repeated.

Tehran understands that Hormuz is an irreplaceable choke point. Between 20 and 21 million barrels of crude oil and petroleum products pass through it daily, accounting for nearly 20% of global oil consumption and around 30% of worldwide seaborne oil shipments. More than a quarter of global liquefied natural gas trade also transits the strait annually. Any total or partial closure – or even credible threats to maritime security – could send global oil prices soaring within hours.

Although alternatives exist, including pipeline networks through Saudi Arabia and the UAE, these can absorb only a limited share of the enormous volumes passing through Hormuz, leaving much of the world’s energy supply effectively trapped behind its narrow gates.

There are also legal constraints, particularly under the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, which prohibits the imposition of transit fees. Article 38 guarantees all vessels the right to continuous and expeditious passage without restrictions or charges. The only exception appears in Article 42, which allows fees solely in exchange for specific services such as navigation assistance or rescue operations.

Yet since Tehran issued its threats and reportedly imposed fees on certain vessels, the model itself has begun inspiring other states that control strategic waterways.

Last April, Indonesian Finance Minister Purbaya Yudhi Sadewa triggered controversy when he publicly proposed charging vessels passing through the Strait of Malacca, explicitly citing the Iranian model in Hormuz. The proposal faced strong opposition from Singapore and Malaysia, forcing Jakarta to retreat. Nevertheless, the concept itself has now entered geopolitical discourse as a potential future instrument of pressure.

China, meanwhile, is watching closely. If Iran succeeds in normalising such practices, Beijing could attempt to use the precedent to justify restrictions or transit fees in the Taiwan Strait or parts of the South China Sea, treating them as internal waters or areas subject to its sovereign security jurisdiction.

The real crisis surrounding the Strait of Hormuz can be distilled into one fact: it is extraordinarily difficult to secure militarily. Tactically, it represents a nightmare for conventional naval forces. Cheap smart naval mines, fast suicide boats, and drones launched from concealed positions amid harsh terrain turn the very idea of fully securing the passage into an illusion. Although the United States maintains a significant naval presence in the region, it remains incapable of fully preventing “grey-zone” attacks carried out without clear fingerprints or through proxy actors. This reality forces insurance companies to impose severe restrictions – or even deny coverage entirely – compelling shipping companies to suspend operations voluntarily, thereby creating an effective blockade without a formal declaration of war.

Iran’s message is direct: paying transit fees – or even a regulated form of tribute – may ultimately prove less costly than the collapse of supply chains or the loss of oil tankers. This helps explain why major powers appear constrained in confronting such threats decisively.

Maritime traffic through the strait is estimated at roughly 3,000 ships per month under normal conditions. Imposing fees on even a fraction of these vessels could generate billions of dollars annually. Reports suggest the prospect may even have appealed to Trump himself, as a businessman inclined toward profitable arrangements, prompting discussions about a possible joint framework with Iran to organise transit tolls through the strait.

Hormuz possesses all the ingredients necessary to become a permanent gold mine for Iran – and for whichever powers manage to dominate it – provided they do not push matters so far that the world accelerates efforts to develop alternative routes and technologies capable of eventually diminishing the strait’s strategic relevance.

What may be unfolding is the emergence of a new maritime financial order built around the monetisation of security. The central question remains: could Hormuz ultimately become Tehran’s ultimate “joker card” – one capable of securing a grand bargain involving the comprehensive lifting of international sanctions and the recovery of frozen Iranian assets in exchange for guaranteeing freedom of navigation once again?

Prof. Hatem Sadek – Helwan University

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Trump said on Truth Social that he had reviewed Iran’s response, delivered via Pakistani mediators, and found it “totally unacceptable.” He later told Fox News he had not yet decided whether to resume “Project Freedom,” the US-led naval operation designed to secure maritime traffic, but suggested it could be expanded beyond Hormuz.

He said Washington was considering reviving the operation “on a broader scale, not limited to escorting ships through the Strait of Hormuz,” while warning that the United States would continue dealing firmly with Iran’s hardline leadership until an agreement was reached.

US Central Command reported redirecting 62 commercial vessels and disabling four ships since the blockade began, underscoring continued American pressure. Bloomberg cited sources saying Iran’s demands included lifting the blockade, easing sanctions, releasing frozen assets, and removing restrictions on oil exports. Tehran also sought control over Hormuz shipping and called for a ceasefire in Lebanon.

Iranian state television and the conservative Tasnim news agency said Tehran’s response emphasized the “fundamental rights of the Iranian people” and rejected what it described as “Trump’s excessive demands.” Reports added that Iran also sought compensation for the war and guarantees against renewed attacks.

Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmail Baghaei said Tehran’s proposal was “not excessive,” arguing that Washington continued to present “unreasonable demands.” He added that any understanding must include an end to fighting on all fronts, the lifting of sanctions and arrangements to ensure security in the Strait of Hormuz.

Responding to Trump’s rejection, Tasnim quoted a source as saying the US president’s position “carries no importance,” adding that Iran’s negotiating team drafts proposals “to defend the rights of the Iranian people, not to satisfy Trump.”

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said the country had “multiple options,” ranging from entering negotiations “with dignity” to remaining in a state of “no war, no peace,” reflecting Tehran’s continued caution toward the diplomatic track.

Meanwhile, regional powers stepped up mediation efforts. Saudi Arabia and Pakistan stressed the importance of diplomacy following a phone call between Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan and Pakistani Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, during which they discussed Islamabad’s mediation efforts between Washington and Tehran.

Pakistan’s foreign ministry said the Saudi minister expressed support for Islamabad’s role, while both sides emphasized the importance of safeguarding maritime security, including shipping through the Strait of Hormuz.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi also held another phone call with his Saudi counterpart – the second in less than 24 hours – to discuss regional developments and Pakistani-mediated negotiations.

Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan is expected to visit Doha on Tuesday for talks on the Iran conflict, Gulf security and maritime safety in Hormuz, according to a Turkish diplomatic source.

The source said Ankara was maintaining intensive contacts with the United States, Iran and Pakistan in an effort to contain escalation, while supporting Qatar and simultaneously criticizing Iranian strikes on Gulf states.

Highlighting mounting international concern, Fatih Birol warned that the Strait of Hormuz’s reputation as a reliable global energy corridor could be “permanently damaged” if disruptions continue, adding that once confidence is lost “it cannot easily be restored.”

The Arab League condemned attacks targeting Qatar, Kuwait and the United Arab Emirates, calling them a “flagrant violation” of international law and warning that further escalation could undermine mediation efforts and push the region toward deeper instability.

With both sides firmly holding to core demands, diplomacy faces an increasingly difficult test as issues of war, sanctions, maritime security and energy flows become more tightly intertwined, complicating efforts to move beyond a fragile ceasefire toward a broader agreement.

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Trump stated that the United States would “eventually” gain access to Iran’s deeply buried uranium stockpile, adding that the US Space Force was monitoring the site. “If anyone goes near the buried enriched uranium, we will know about it and we will blow it up,” he said.

The president stressed that military operations against Iran had not fully ended, clarifying that he never declared the fighting over but only said Iran had been “defeated.” He added that Tehran had been “militarily defeated” and lacked effective naval, air, and air defense capabilities.

Trump said the United States had eliminated “three layers” of Iran’s leadership and remained capable of continuing military operations for “another two weeks” and striking additional targets inside Iran, noting that roughly 70% of Washington’s objectives had been achieved. He added that rebuilding Iran’s capabilities would take years even if strikes stopped now, reiterating that Washington would never allow Tehran to obtain a nuclear weapon. “If Iran had acquired a nuclear weapon, it would have used it against Israel and the Middle East,” he said.

Iran, meanwhile, maintained a defiant tone amid mixed signals over prospects for renewed diplomacy. Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said the Iranian people would “never submit to the enemy,” insisting that talks did not mean surrender or retreat. He argued that Iran’s adversaries were trying to shift the conflict into the “economic arena” after failing militarily, urging Iranians to remain united and reduce energy consumption.

Iranian state television quoted a military spokesman as saying any new attack on Iran would be met with “new weapons, new warfare methods and new battlefields,” while another official warned that countries complying with US sanctions would “certainly face difficulties” crossing the Strait of Hormuz.

The Revolutionary Guards escalated their rhetoric, warning that any attack on Iranian oil tankers would trigger “violent” strikes on US centers and hostile ships in the region. The commander of the Guards’ aerospace force said Iranian missiles and drones had “locked onto American targets and enemy ships” and were awaiting launch orders.

Against that backdrop, Iran’s state news agency reported that Tehran had sent its response to a US proposal to end the war through Pakistani mediation, adding that negotiations at this stage would focus on ending the regional conflict.

Qatar continued its mediation efforts. The Qatari foreign ministry said Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani discussed the ceasefire and de-escalation efforts with his Saudi and Iranian counterparts. Doha stressed the need for all sides to engage with mediation efforts and address the roots of the crisis through dialogue, while emphasizing that freedom of navigation was “a non-negotiable principle.” It warned that closing the Strait of Hormuz or using it as leverage would deepen the crisis and threaten regional security.

Qatar also condemned a drone attack on a commercial cargo vessel in its territorial waters, describing it as a “blatant violation” of international law and freedom of navigation.

Meanwhile, Kuwait and the United Arab Emirates said they had dealt with drones over their territories despite the ceasefire in place since April 8, highlighting the fragility of the truce and persistent security concerns across the Gulf.

The Wall Street Journal, citing informed sources, reported that Israel had established a secret military base in the Iraqi desert to support air operations against Iran and had struck Iraqi forces that came close to discovering the site during the early days of the war. The report said the base had been set up with US knowledge.

The continued hardline rhetoric from both sides, despite ongoing diplomatic contacts, suggests the current calm remains fragile and vulnerable to collapse, particularly with unresolved disputes over Iran’s nuclear program, Gulf shipping security, and the US military presence in the region.

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In a letter to congressional leaders marking the expiration of the 60day War Powers Resolution deadline, Trump wrote: “There has been no exchange of fire with Iran since the ceasefire. The hostilities that began on February 28 have ended.” The statement appeared designed to reinforce the administration’s claim that ongoing operations no longer require fresh congressional authorization, after lawmakers were first notified following US strikes in late February.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi said Tehran had entered the new round “in good faith and responsibility” through Pakistani mediation, despite what he described as deep mistrust of Washington due to repeated breaches of past commitments.

According to the Wall Street Journal, Iran’s revised proposal showed greater flexibility than earlier positions. Tehran suggested reopening the Strait of Hormuz in exchange for US guarantees to halt attacks and lift restrictions on Iranian ports, with broader nuclear negotiations to follow in return for sanctions relief.

Trump, however, voiced dissatisfaction: “Iran wants to make a deal, but I’m not happy with it. The choices remain either hit them hard or reach an agreement.” His remarks underscored that the ceasefire is more a conditional truce than a final settlement, with disputes over maritime security, sanctions, and uranium enrichment still unresolved.

Araqchi has intensified diplomatic outreach, holding calls with officials from Turkey, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Iraq, Russia, France, and the European Union to consolidate support for negotiations and prevent renewed escalation. Qatar reiterated that freedom of navigation in Hormuz is “nonnegotiable,” while Egypt urged continued diplomatic engagement during talks with US envoy Steve Witkoff.

Regionally, the United Arab Emirates announced that air traffic had returned to normal after a security review, signaling a relative easing of immediate threats. Meanwhile, Iran’s UN mission insisted uranium enrichment remains legal under IAEA supervision, and China rejected new US sanctions on Chinese firms tied to Iranian oil purchases, calling them violations of international law.

Despite the diplomatic track, Iranian military officials warned that renewed war remains possible. A CNN investigation reported at least 16 US military sites in eight countries across the region have been damaged since the conflict began, underscoring the fragility of the current truce.

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