US President Donald Trump has claimed that Iran is on the verge of collapse and emphasized the urgent need to reopen the Strait of Hormuz as soon as possible. Iran, in turn, has insisted on three conditions for negotiations, demanding that the US lift its blockade. However, Trump has taken a firm stance that he will not reopen the Strait without resolving issues related to Iran’s nuclear program. Kathmandu, April 29. Trump stated on social media that Iran is on the brink of collapse and wants to reopen the Strait of Hormuz quickly to normalize maritime traffic. According to him, Iran is attempting to seize control of its leadership to emerge from the current crisis.
Meanwhile, Iran has rejected Trump’s pressure. Reza Talaei-Nik, spokesperson for Iran’s Ministry of Defense, stated that the United States is not in a position to dictate terms to other countries and must abandon its unreasonable demands. Although a ceasefire currently exists between the US, Iran, and Israel, talks aiming to end the conflict have so far failed to produce any decisive outcomes. Maritime transport of fuel through the Strait of Hormuz remains hindered. This waterway is one of the world’s primary maritime routes, crucial for the large-scale supply of oil and gas, and increased tension here impacts global markets.
Iran has outlined three key preconditions to the US for talks, calling for the immediate removal of the American blockade at the Strait of Hormuz. According to The New York Times, Iran sent a new proposal to the US on Sunday with three primary conditions: 1. The end of war between the US and Israel, with guarantees of no future attacks; 2. Subsequently, the US must lift the maritime blockade and reopen the Strait of Hormuz, resuming ship movements; 3. Only after that should discussions begin on contentious issues such as Iran’s nuclear program and uranium enrichment. However, Trump has refused to accept these conditions.
CNN reports that the Trump administration believes that reopening the Strait of Hormuz without resolving nuclear program concerns could weaken the United States’ negotiating position, so all these issues must be addressed concurrently. Trump has rejected Iran’s proposal for the second time in recent days. For weeks, proposals have been exchanged between Iran and the US through Pakistan, but no agreement has been reached on critical nuclear-related matters. The US has requested that Iran suspend its nuclear program for 20 years and hand over 440 kilograms of enriched uranium in its possession. Iran has rejected these demands as excessive and unreasonable.
