US demands Iran open the Strait of Hormuz

US President Donald Trump announced on April 1 that Iran has requested a temporary ceasefire. In a social media post, Trump stated that Washington would only consider a settlement after Tehran unblocks the Strait of Hormuz. He warned that until the strait is opened, the United States will continue its military strikes to send Iran back to the Stone Age. Reports Dw.com.

The Iranian government quickly rejected these claims. Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei dismissed Trump's statement as false and baseless, describing it as a tactic to justify American military actions. Baghaei emphasized that Iran will continue its retaliatory strikes. Meanwhile, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps declared that the Strait of Hormuz remains under their absolute control and will not be opened to hostile nations.

Tensions in the region continue to escalate. According to the Wall Street Journal, the United Arab Emirates is preparing to assist the United States and its allies in forcefully reopening the blocked strait. If this occurs, the UAE would become the first Gulf nation to engage in direct combat with Iran.

The conflict intensified after the US and Israel launched airstrikes on February 28, which reportedly killed Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and several high-ranking officials. In response, Iran has targeted US military bases, oil facilities, and tankers across the Persian Gulf region using missiles and drones.