Trump Tells Aides He’s Willing to End War Without Reopening Hormuz

WASHINGTON, Mar 31: President Trump told aides he’s willing to end the U.S. military campaign against Iran even if the Strait of Hormuz remains largely closed, administration officials said, likely extending Tehran’s firm grip on the waterway and leaving a complex operation to reopen it for a later date.

In recent days, Trump and his aides assessed that a mission to pry open the chokepoint would push the conflict beyond his timeline of four to six weeks.

He decided that the U.S. should achieve its main goals of hobbling Iran’s navy and its missile stocks and wind down current hostilities while pressuring Tehran diplomatically to resume the free flow of trade. If that fails, Washington would press allies in Europe and the Gulf to take the lead on reopening the strait, the officials said.

Trump tells affected nations to go to Hormuz and ‘get your oil’

WASHINGTON, Mar 31: U.S. President Donald Trump said on Tuesday “the hard part” in the war against Iran was done and asked other countries affected by the closure of the Strait of Hormuz to buy oil from America or go to the Strait and take it.

“All of those countries that can’t get jet fuel because of the Strait of Hormuz, like the United Kingdom, which refused to get involved in the decapitation of Iran, I have a suggestion for you: Number 1, buy from the U.S., we have plenty, and Number 2, build up some delayed courage, go to the Strait, and just TAKE IT,” he wrote in a social media post.

“You’ll have to start learning how to fight for yourself, the U.S.A. won’t be there to help you anymore, just like you weren’t there for us. Iran has been, essentially, decimated. The hard part is done. Go get your own oil!” he added.

On Monday, Trump had threatened to attack Iran’s power plants, desalination plants and oil fields if Tehran refused to make a deal with the U.S. quickly. Tehran has said it received a proposal from the Trump administration through intermediaries, but said the U.S. demands were “very excessive, unrealistic and irrational”.

The U.S. and Israel continued to attack Iran, while the IRGC said it launched missiles targeting Israel and American bases in the region.

On Monday, Trump also said France was “very unhelpful” in the war against Iran. “The Country of France wouldn’t let planes headed to Israel, loaded up with military supplies, fly over French territory. France has been very unhelpful with respect to the “Butcher of Iran,” who has been successfully eliminated! The U.S.A. will REMEMBER,” Trump wrote in another social media post.

US hits Iran's Isfahan with 1,000-kg bunker buster bombs

WASHINGTON, Mar 31: The United States struck a key ammunition facility in Iran's Isfahan using 2,000-pound bunker-buster bombs, just hours after President Donald Trump hinted at ending the offensive.

According to a US official who spoke to Wall Street Journal, a large number of penetrator munitions were used in the operation, suggesting the target included fortified or underground structures. Isfahan is a critical military hub and is closely linked to Iran's nuclear infrastructure.

Trump also shared footage of the strike on Truth Social, posting a video that shows multiple explosions tearing through the night sky. The clip, which was not accompanied by any explanation, was later identified by officials as showing the Isfahan attack.

Visuals from the video capture successive detonations followed by intense fires and plumes of smoke, pointing to secondary blasts likely caused by munitions stored at the site. The footage has not been independently verified.

Isfahan's strategic importance has grown in recent weeks amid reports that Iran may have shifted a portion of its highly enriched uranium, estimated at about 540 kg, to underground facilities in the city.

What are Bunker Buster bombs?

Bunker-buster bombs are specialised weapons built to penetrate hardened targets before exploding. They are typically used against underground military installations, reinforced bunkers and nuclear sites.

Among the most powerful in this category is the Massive Ordnance Penetrator (MOP), a 30,000-pound bomb developed by Boeing. Designed with a reinforced steel casing and precision GPS guidance, the weapon can drill through layers of concrete and rock before detonating, delivering a high-impact blast deep below the surface.

The MOP is so large that it can only be carried by the B-2 Spirit, an aircraft built to evade advanced air defence systems and strike heavily protected targets. While the Isfahan operation reportedly used smaller bunker-buster variants, the objective remains similar - neutralising deeply buried infrastructure.

Trump again warns Iran to open Strait of Hormuz

WASHINGTON, Mar 30: U.S. President Donald Trump on Monday threatened to strike Iran’s oil, power and water infrastructure if Tehran did not agree to a deal and reopen the Strait of Hormuz soon.

“The United States of America is in serious discussions with a new and more reasonable regime to end our Military Operations in Iran,” Trump wrote in a social media post.

“Great progress has been made but, if for any reason a deal is not shortly reached, which it probably will be, and if the Hormuz Strait is not immediately “Open for Business,” we will conclude our lovely “stay” in Iran by blowing up and completely obliterating all of their Electric Generating Plants, Oil Wells and Kharg Island (and possibly all desalinization plants!).”

Meanwhile, Israeli media reported that an oil refinery in the northern city of Haifa had been hit on Monday, shortly after the military said it had detected new incoming missiles from Iran.

Iran’s military said on Monday that Israel was behind an attack on a desalination plant in Kuwait.

A spokesman for the Iranian Foreign Ministry said Iran was not seeking nuclear weapons but the issue of whether to remain part of the Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) was under review in Parliament.

Iran confirmed on Monday that Revolutionary Guards commander Alireza Tangsiri had been killed, days after Israel said it targeted him in an air strike.

White House says Iran talks progressing despite public posturing

WASHINGTON, Mar 30: The White House said ‌on Monday that talks with ⁠Iran were continuing and progressing well, ‌adding that what Tehran ‌says ‌publicly ⁠differs from ⁠what it tells U.S. officials in private.

“Despite all ‌of the public posturing you hear from ‌the regime and false reporting, talks are ⁠continuing and going well. What is ‌said publicly is, of course, much different than what’s being ‌communicated to us privately,” said White House ⁠Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt.

Karoline Leavitt said President ‌Donald Trump would be ⁠interested in calling on ‌Arab countries ‌to ‌pay for ⁠the cost ⁠of the Iran war, adding that ⁠she thinks Trump would ‌have more to say on the ‌issue.

Trump extends deadline for Iran to open Strait of Hormuz to April 6

WASHINGTON, Mar 27: U.S. President Donald Trump has said he will delay a threatened strike on Iran’s energy infrastructure and extend his deadline for Tehran to reopen the Strait of Hormuz until April 6, saying talks to end the war are “going very well.”

The move marks a pullback from Trump’s earlier warning that the U.S. would target Iran’s energy plants if the crucial shipping lane remained closed. Iran has threatened to retaliate against regional infrastructure, including desalination facilities, if the U.S. follows through.

Trump’s announcement came in a social media post. He said he will hold off on bombing Iran’s energy plants.

“As per Iranian Government request, please let this statement serve to represent that I am pausing the period of Energy Plant destruction by 10 Days to Monday, April 6, 2026, at 8 P.M., Eastern Time,” Mr. Trump said on his Truth Social platform.

“Talks are ongoing and, despite erroneous statements to the contrary by the Fake News Media, and others, they are going very well.”

Trump says Iran allowed passage of 10 oil tankers as ‘present’

WASHINGTON, Mar 26: Iran allowed 10 oil tankers to pass through the strategic Strait of Hormuz as a “present” to show it was serious about negotiations to end the war, U.S. President Donald Trump said at a Cabinet meeting in the White House on Thursday.

Meanwhile, Iran’s initial response to the U.S. proposal to end ‌the war, which was conveyed to Pakistan, was ⁠that it was “one-sided and unfair”, said a senior Iranian official, adding that a ‌path forward might still ‌be ⁠found if realism ⁠prevailed in Washington.

Iran’s Parliament is working on a bill to formalise the fees it is reportedly charging on some ship transiting through the Strait of Hormuz, local media reported.

Sirens over Israel warned of barrages of incoming Iranian missiles, and Gulf nations worked to intercept fire. Heavy strikes were reported in Iran’s capital and other cities.

5,000 US Marines En Route To Middle East

WASHINGTON, Mar 25: US President Donald Trump's sudden push for a ceasefire with Iran appears increasingly aimed at buying time as thousands of US troops race toward the Middle East ahead of his self-declared Friday deadline.

Trump has paused military strikes for five days since 23 March, even as reinforcements surge into the region. Two Marine units, roughly 5,000 personnel in total, are currently en route, joining more than 50,000 American forces already deployed across the Middle East.

"If a deal were not agreed to by Friday," Trump told reporters, "then we'll just keep bombing our little hearts out."

US officials say the president is still weighing aggressive military options even as he talks up a possible ceasefire, according to a report.

Plans under consideration include the capture of Kharg Island, the strategic hub through which Iran exports about 90% of its oil, as well as a raid targeting Iran's stock of highly enriched uranium. Analysts have also pointed to other possible targets such as Qeshm, Kish and Hormuz Islands, which host key Iranian military and economic assets.

The arrival of the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit gives Trump, for the first time in this conflict, the option of launching a full-scale ground operation alongside continued airstrikes.

The USS Tripoli is due to reach the Gulf on Friday carrying around 2,200 Marines, according to the Wall Street Journal. A second unit, the 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit from California, left last week aboard the USS Boxer and could reach the theatre by mid-April.

Meanwhile, Tehran has told mediators that it has already been deceived twice by Trump's calls for negotiations and that "we don't want to be fooled again". Iranian officials have demanded compensation for US strikes and a guarantee that any ceasefire will be permanent.

Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has insisted that Washington must lift sanctions before Iran reopens the Strait of Hormuz, which was a concession the US previously reserved only for a verified rollback of Iran's nuclear programme.

Meanwhile, the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps has told Arab intermediaries that it plans to charge all vessels transiting the Strait of Hormuz, mirroring Egypt's model in the Suez Canal. With Iran having demonstrated that it can disrupt global oil flows, mediators say the regime is unlikely to accept terms that do not leave it with greater leverage than before the war.

If Trump orders the seizure of Kharg Island, the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit could insert Marines by sea or air. US airstrikes have already cratered the island's runways, meaning helicopters or F-35B jets capable of landing on rough terrain would be required for the first wave. Engineers would then attempt to repair the landing strips to bring in reinforcements and supplies, potentially using C-130 cargo aircraft, though any such operation would leave US forces vulnerable to Iranian missile fire.

Despite heavy US bombardment, some of Iran's hardened missile stockpiles have survived, and Tehran's strike accuracy has improved in recent days even as total launches have declined. Pentagon officials warn that any ground assault could come at a significant human cost.

Stage set for US-Iran talks in Pakistan as Shehbaz Sharif invites, Trump nods

WASHINGTON, Mar 24: US President Donald Trump gave clear indications on Tuesday that negotiations with Iran to end the war may be held in Pakistan, as he shared on social media a screenshot of Pakistan PM Shehbaz Sharif's invitation.

The move follows a post on X by Prime Minister Sharif, in which he expressed Islamabad's eagerness to facilitate a diplomatic resolution to the regional crisis. Sharif stated that Pakistan was "ready and honoured" to moderate "meaningful and conclusive talks" between the United States and Iran, provided there is a mutual agreement from both parties.

Expanding on Islamabad's position, the Prime Minister noted, "Pakistan welcomes and fully supports ongoing efforts to pursue dialogue to end the war in the Middle East, in the interest of peace and stability in the region and beyond."

He further clarified that, "Subject to concurrence by the US and Iran, Pakistan stands ready and honoured to be the host to facilitate meaningful and conclusive talks for a comprehensive settlement of the ongoing conflict."

President Trump's decision to share the post on his Truth Social account without further comment has been viewed by observers as a sign of active backchannel diplomacy. This development aligns with international reports suggesting that Pakistan, alongside Egypt and Turkiye, is quietly working to broker a peace deal in the Middle East.

While Islamabad is reportedly being positioned as a potential neutral venue, the White House has maintained a stance of strategic caution. US Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt described the current environment as "sensitive" and "fluid," advising against treating unconfirmed reports as definitive.

"These are sensitive diplomatic discussions, and the US will not negotiate through the press. This is a fluid situation, and speculation about meetings should not be deemed as final until they are formally announced by the White House," Leavitt cautioned. This statement comes amidst unverified claims that Vice President JD Vance and envoy Steve Witkoff could potentially meet Iranian officials on Pakistani soil.

Despite the lack of formal confirmation, indirect communication appears to be intensifying, with Islamabad reportedly serving as a critical conduit for messages. According to reports from CNN, the United States has utilised Pakistani channels to transmit a 15-point list of requirements to Tehran. The network further indicated that high-ranking Pakistani intelligence officials have maintained active communication with US figures, including Jared Kushner and special envoy Steve Witkoff, to facilitate these diplomatic exchanges.

The sudden diplomatic momentum follows President Trump's recent declaration of a five-day pause on planned strikes against Iranian energy infrastructure. Trump attributed the pause to "very good and productive conversations" with Tehran, claiming the US is in contact with a "top person" in Iran. Conversely, Tehran continues to maintain that it has not entered into direct negotiations with Washington since the commencement of the hostilities.

'Ensuring Strait of Hormuz Remains Open Is Essential': Modi After Trump Call

NEW DELHI, Mar 24: US President Donald Trump spoke with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday, US envoy Sergio Gor said. Their conversation focused on the ongoing conflict in the Middle East (or West Asia), “including the importance of keeping the Strait of Hormuz open”, as per Gor's X post.

Modi wrote on X: “Received a call from President Trump and had a useful exchange of views on the situation in West Asia. India supports de-escalation and restoration of peace at the earliest. Ensuring that the Strait of Hormuz remains open, secure and accessible is essential for the whole world. We agreed to stay in touch regarding efforts towards peace and stability.”

The conversation comes at a time when Trump has raised hopes that the US-Israel war on Iran could be winding down. Trump on Monday said his government was already holding “productive” talks with Tehran; and he extended, by five days, his deadline on striking power plants over Iran's chokhold on the key oil shipping route Strait of Hormuz.

Iranian officials have said that Trump had backed down “following Iran’s firm warning", but there were mixed signals from Tehran on whether talks were actually on.

Trump Hints At Possible Middle East Breakthrough

WASHINGTON, Mar 23: US President Donald Trump has indicated that Washington and Tehran have begun what he described as "very good and productive conversations" aimed at a full resolution of the escalating conflict in the Middle East. Trump said he had ordered the postponement of any planned strikes on Iranian power plants and energy infrastructure for five days to allow the talks to continue.

The move marks the first public hint of possible de-escalation since the war entered its fourth week.

In a statement released on his social media platform, Trump wrote: "I am pleased to report that the United States of America and the country of Iran have had, over the last two days, very good and productive conversations regarding a complete and total resolution of our hostilities in the Middle East. Based on the tenor and tone of these in-depth, detailed and constructive conversations, which will continue throughout the week, I have instructed the Department of Defense to postpone any and all military strikes against Iranian power plants and energy infrastructure for a five-day period, subject to the success of the ongoing meetings and discussions."

The caveat was that the pause is temporary and entirely dependent on progress at the negotiating table.

There was no indication from Tehran that it had accepted any terms, nor any confirmation that formal talks were actually underway.

The announcement came only hours after Iran had issued fresh and explicit threats in response to an earlier American ultimatum. On Monday, Iranian officials warned they would lay drifting naval mines across the Gulf and strike power stations across the region if their territory came under further attack.

They released maps highlighting potential targets, including Israel's two largest electricity plants and facilities in Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar and Kuwait.

One accompanying graphic carried the stark headline: "Say goodbye to electricity."

The rhetoric followed a midnight deadline set by Trump for Iran to reopen the Strait of Hormuz or face the "obliteration" of its power infrastructure.

Tehran gave no sign of compliance. Instead, it has already restricted tanker traffic through the narrow waterway -- a chokepoint for roughly one-fifth of global oil shipments -- and launched retaliatory strikes on energy sites and US diplomatic missions across the Gulf, as well as targets inside Israel.

Responding to Trump's latest post, Iranian state media that the US President "backed down" fearing potential Iran reprisal.

'Open Hormuz Or Will Destroy Power Plants': Trump Warns Iran, Tehran Responds

WASHINGTON, Mar 22: US President Donald Trump has threatened to "obliterate" Iran's power plants if Tehran does not reopen the Strait of Hormuz - the chokepoint that carries around a fifth of the world's oil supply - for shipping traffic.

Trump, in a post on Truth Social, set a 48-hour deadline from "this exact point in time" for Tehran to "fully reopen" the Hormuz. He posted the Truth at 5:14 am (IST), giving Tehran time till Tuesday morning.

"If Iran doesn't FULLY OPEN, WITHOUT THREAT, the Strait of Hormuz, within 48 HOURS from this exact point in time, the United States of America will hit and obliterate their various POWER PLANTS, STARTING WITH THE BIGGEST ONE FIRST!" he said.

Responding to Trump's ultimatum, the Iranian military threatened to target all energy, technology, and desalination infrastructure belonging to the US in the region.

"Following previous warnings, if Iran's fuel and energy infrastructure is violated by the enemy, all energy, information technology, and desalination infrastructure belonging to the US and the regime in the region will be targeted," the Iranian military's operational command Khatam Al-Anbiya said.

The threats come as a dramatic escalation barely a day after Trump talked about "winding down" the war.

Iran closed the Strait of Hormuz for the majority of the shipping traffic, especially for those countries involved in attacks against Iran, since the US-Israel's joint strikes on Tehran on February 28. Around a fifth of the world's crude oil and liquefied natural gas passes through the strait. The closure is forcing countries reliant on the shipping lane to scramble for alternative routes and tap reserves. It has also sent crude oil prices soaring, threatening governments with widespread inflation the longer the war continues.

Trump hints at ‘winding down’ Iran war as US deploys more troops to region

WASHINGTON, Mar 21: United States President Donald Trump says he is considering “winding down” the military operations in Iran even as his administration deploys 2,500 additional marines to the region and asks Congress for more money to fund the war.

In a social media post on Friday, Trump said the US was “getting very close to meeting our objectives as we consider winding down our great Military efforts in the Middle East”.

The mixed messages from Trump came after another climb in oil prices plunged the US stock markets. His administration also announced that it was lifting sanctions on Iranian oil already loaded on ships, a move aimed at wrangling the soaring fuel prices.

White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt, in a post on X shortly after Trump’s message, said “the President and the Pentagon predicted it would take approximately 4-6 weeks to achieve this mission.

“Tomorrow [Saturday] marks week 3 – and the US Armed Forces are doing an exceptional job,” Leavitt wrote. “Day by day, the Iranian Regime is being crippled, and their ability to threaten the United States and our allies is being significantly weakened.”

Trump says US 'doing extremely well in Iran'

WASHINGTON, Mar 20: US President Donald Trump has said that the US is "doing extremely well in Iran".

He says Iran has "no navy anymore" and 58 ships have been "knocked down" in two days, and the US has the "greatest navy anywhere in the world".

"We're doing really well," he says, adding the US will not let Iran get nuclear weapons because "if they had them, they'd use them".

Trump also called Nato allies "cowards", saying it would be "easy" for them to help open the Strait of Hormuz.

The US president called on allies to secure the vital shipping lane last week, but said on Tuesday "most" had informed the US they did not want to get involved.

Energy fears have kept oil prices high, hovering around $109 a barrel; the head of the International Energy Agency said the world faces the "greatest global energy security challenge in history".

Meanwhile, Iranian state TV has read out a written message from Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei, calling for resistance at a time of war.

The Iranian foreign ministry said Iran has told the UK that allowing the US to use British military bases will be considered "participation in aggression". Downing Street says it is "not getting drawn into wider war".

Israel has been hitting Tehran with air strikes as Iranians mark Nowruz - the Persian New Year. Iran launched rounds of missiles at Jerusalem.

The United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia and Bahrain all reported missile or drone attacks. A drone attack at a Kuwaiti oil refinery has caused a fire, according to state media.

US Deploys 3 Warships, 2,500 More Marines To Middle East: Report

WASHINGTON, Mar 20: The US military is deploying three more warships and roughly 2,500 more marines to the Middle East, an official says.

One US official confirmed Friday that the USS Boxer and two other amphibious assault ships, along with roughly 2,500 Marines of the 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit, have deployed from their home port of San Diego and are bound for the Middle East.

Two other US officials confirmed that the ships were deploying, without saying where they were headed. All three officials spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss sensitive military operations.

Hegseth: US to launch ‘largest strike package yet’ on Iran today

WASHINGTON, Mar 19: United States Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth says that the US will today carry out “the largest strike package yet” in the ongoing US-Israeli aerial assault against Iran, during opening remarks in a Pentagon briefing.

“To date, we’ve struck over 7,000 targets across Iran and its military infrastructure. That is not incremental. That is overwhelming force applied with precision. And again, today will be the largest strike package yet, just like yesterday was,” Hesgeth says on the 19th day of the operation.

“We’re winning decisively and on our terms,” Hesgseth says, hitting back at concerns in US media that the conflict could turn into a “forever war,” saying that “nothing could be further from the truth,” and calling the operation “laser-focused.”

He warns that “the last job anyone in the world wants right now” are the positions of “senior leader for the IRGC, or Basij,” calling them “temp jobs.”

The war objectives remain to “destroy missiles, launchers, and Iran’s defense industrial base so they cannot rebuild. Destroy their navy, and [ensure] Iran never gets a nuclear weapon,” Hegseth says.

US drops 5,000-pound 'bunker buster' bombs on Iran missile sites near Strait of Hormuz

WASHINGTON, Mar 18: The US on Tuesday dropped massive 5,000-pound bombs on Iranian missile sites near the strategic Strait of Hormuz that has turned out to be one of the flashpoints in the ongoing Iran-US war. Describing the bombs as ‘deep penetrator munitions’, the US claimed the targeted Iranian missile sites were a ‘risk to international shipping in the strait’.

"US forces successfully employed multiple 5,000-pound deep penetrator munitions on hardened Iranian missile sites along Iran's coastline near the Strait of Hormuz," Central Command said in a statement on X.

The alleged air raid comes in the backdrop of Iran shutting down the Strait of Hormuz, a key waterway through which one-fifth of the world's oil flows.

Iranian Parliament speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf has meanwhile warned that the situation in the Strait of Hormuz will not return to its "pre-war state". "The Strait of Hormuz situation won't return to its pre-war status," he said in a post on X.

The bomb, according to an Air Force Times report in 2022 ,cost an estimated $288,000 each. These are still less powerful than the 30,000-pound (13,600-kg) bombs dropped by the United States against Iranian nuclear sites last year.

A projectile reportedly hit an area near Iran's Bushehr nuclear power plant on Tuesday evening, Iran told the International Atomic Energy Agency.

"The IAEA has been informed by Iran that a projectile hit the premises of the Bushehr NPP on Tuesday evening. No damage to the plant or injuries to staff reported," the IAEA said on X, as IAEA chief Rafael Grossi reiterated his call for maximum restraint during the conflict to avoid the risk of a nuclear accident.

U.S. does ‘not need’ help from allies on Iran: Trump

WASHINGTON, Mar 17: President Donald Trump, whose call for assistance from allies to reopen the Strait of Hormuz to oil traffic has largely been rebuffed, said on Tuesday that U.S. forces “no longer need” military help in the Iran war.

“Because of the fact that we have had such Military Success, we no longer ‘need,’ or desire, the NATO Countries’ assistance — WE NEVER DID! Likewise, Japan, Australia, or South Korea,” Trump posted on his Truth Social network, adding: “WE DO NOT NEED THE HELP OF ANYONE!”

Iran’s attacks on Gulf nations and its grip on the Strait of Hormuz, through which a fifth of the world’s oil is transported, have sparked increasing concerns of a global energy crisis and are unnerving the world economy.

A handful of ships have crossed through the strait, and Iran has said the vital waterway technically remains open — just not for the United States, Israel and their allies. About 20 vessels have been struck since the war began.

Earlier with oil prices rising, Trump said he had demanded that roughly a half-dozen countries send warships to ensure ships can pass through the Strait of Hormuz.

But his appeals brought no immediate commitments, with many saying they are hesitant to get involved in a war with no defined exit plan and sceptical that they could do more than the U.S. Navy.

After Venezuela takeover, Iran war, Trump now wants to 'take' Cuba

WASHINGTON, Mar 18: US President Donald Trump is now planning to take over Cuba.

During a press briefing on Monday, Trump made his plans public: a possible takeover of the communist island of Cuba, which plunged into darkness following a total blackout after a US-led oil blockade.

"I do believe I'll be having the honor of taking Cuba. I think that's a big honour. Taking Cuba in some form," Trump told reporters at the White House.

"Whether I free it, take it -- think I could do anything I want with it, you want to know the truth. They're a very weakened nation right now," he added.

The remark comes as Cuba plunged into darkness after the country's electric grid suffered a total collapse on Monday after weeks of crippling oil embargo imposed by the US.

The Caribbean island of 9.6 million people have been subject to rolling outages as the Communist government struggled with shortage of fuel needed to generate power. Cuba President Miguel Díaz-Canel last week said the country hasn't received a major fuel shipment in three months due to an embargo from Washington.

The Trump administration has been trying to use economic pressure over the country to make it more financially dependent on the US in a bid to bring about political change after 67 years of one-party rule.

"You know, all my life I've been hearing about the United States and Cuba. When will the United States do it?" Trump said at the briefing.

A report in The New York Times citing sources said the Trump administration is seeking to push the Cuban President from power.

The crisis began ever since the US ouster of Cuba's top ally, Nicolas Maduro of Venezuela, on January 3 this year, following which the island's economy has been hit hard due to the oil blockade.

Saudi Crown Prince asked Trump to keep hitting Iranians hard: NYT

NEW YORK, Mar 16: Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman has privately urged Donald Trump to continue striking Iran as the war involving Washington, Israel and Tehran enters its third week, according to a report by The New York Times.

The newspaper, citing officials familiar with the conversations, said the Saudi leader has been in frequent contact with Trump during the conflict and encouraged him to “keep hitting the Iranians hard” as the fighting intensifies across the region.

White House officials told the newspaper that Trump has been holding regular calls with several Arab leaders since the conflict erupted, with the Saudi crown prince emerging as one of the most vocal advocates of a hardline approach toward Iran.

The stance reflects a long-standing Saudi position on Tehran. The report noted that the late King Abdullah had also repeatedly urged Washington to confront Iran and once famously called on US officials to “cut off the head of the snake”.

Saudi Arabia has long viewed Iran as its principal regional rival, with tensions shaped by competition for political influence, military power and sectarian divisions across the Middle East.

Trump Pushes For 'Enthusiasm' From US Allies To Secure Strait of Hormuz

WASHINGTON, Mar 16: President Donald Trump criticized US allies on Monday for their lukewarm response to his call to help protect shipping in the Strait of Hormuz during the US war against Iran.

Trump called for more "enthusiasm" from other countries, as he said he believed France and Britain would somewhat reluctantly get involved.

"We strongly encourage the other nations to get involved with us and get involved quickly and with great enthusiasm," Trump told reporters during an event at the White House.

"The level of enthusiasm matters to me."

Trump said a number of countries that he did not name had committed to help secure the waterway, a critical choke point for the global oil trade, but lashed out at others who were not "enthusiastic."

"For 40 years, we're protecting you, and you don't want to get involved," Trump said.

NATO and other Western allies pushed back earlier Monday on Trump's demand at the weekend that the alliance help reopen the Strait of Hormuz, which Iran has effectively closed.

'May Hit It Just For Fun': Trump Threatens More Strikes On Iran's Kharg Island

WASHINGTON, Mar 15: US President Donald Trump threatened further strikes on Iran's Kharg Island oil export hub and urged allies to send warships to secure the Strait of Hormuz, as Tehran vowed to step up its response and the war showed no sign on Sunday of coming to an end.

Trump said the US strikes had "totally demolished" most of Kharg Island and warned that more could follow, telling NBC News, "We may hit it a few more times just for fun." While he said Tehran appeared ready to make a deal to end the conflict, he added that "the terms aren't good enough yet."

The comments marked an escalation in rhetoric from the president, who had previously said the US targeted only military sites on Kharg. They also undercut diplomatic efforts, with three sources familiar with the situation saying that Trump's administration had already rebuffed efforts by Middle Eastern allies to start negotiations aimed at ending the war.

Tehran's ability to stop shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, a major channel for oil and gas, poses a difficult problem for the US and its allies. Energy prices are soaring as the war causes the biggest-ever disruption in oil supply.

"The Countries of the World that receive Oil through the Hormuz Strait must take care of that passage, and we will help - A LOT!" Trump wrote in a social media post on Saturday. "The U.S. will also coordinate with those Countries so that everything goes quickly, smoothly, and well."

As the conflict stretched into its third week, both sides appeared to be digging in for an extended fight.

Iran projected defiance, rejecting the possibility of any ceasefire until US and Israeli airstrikes end.

Trump rejects efforts to launch Iran ceasefire talks: Report

WASHINGTON: President Donald Trump's administration has rebuffed efforts by Middle Eastern allies to start diplomatic negotiations aimed at ending the Iran war that started two weeks ago with a massive US-Israeli air assault, according to three sources familiar with the efforts.

Iran, for its part, has rejected the possibility of any ceasefire until US and Israeli strikes end, said two senior Iranian sources, adding that several countries had been trying to mediate an end to the conflict.

The lack of interest from Washington and Tehran suggests both sides are digging in for an extended conflict, even as the widening war inflicts civilian casualties and Iran's closure of the Strait of Hormuz sends oil prices soaring.

US strikes on Iran's Kharg Island, the country's main oil export hub, on Friday night underscored Trump's determination to press ahead with his military assault.

Iran's new Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei has vowed to keep the Strait of Hormuz shut and threatened to step up attacks on neighboring countries.

The war has killed more than 2,000 people, mostly in Iran, and created the biggest-ever oil supply disruption as maritime traffic has halted in the Strait of Hormuz, through which a fifth of the world's oil is transported.

US strikes over 90 Iranian military targets on Kharg Island

WASHINGTON, Mar 14: United States forces executed a large-scale precision strike on Kharg Island in Iran on Friday night, the US Central Command said on Saturday.

"U.S. forces successfully struck more than 90 Iranian military targets on Kharg Island, while preserving the oil infrastructure," CENTCOM said.

The strike destroyed naval mine storage facilities, missile storage bunkers, and multiple other military sites, the US military said in a post on X.

President Donald Trump threatened on Friday to strike the oil infrastructure of Iran's Kharg Island hub, unless Tehran stopped attacking vessels in the Strait of Hormuz.

Trump says 'many countries' will send warships to keep Strait of Hormuz open

WASHINGTON, Mar 14: US President Donald Trump said on Saturday that many countries would send warships to keep the Strait of Hormuz open, but did not provide details on which countries would do so.

"Many Countries, especially those who are affected by Iran’s attempted closure of the Hormuz Strait, will be sending War Ships, in conjunction with the United States of America, to keep the Strait open and safe," Trump wrote in a post on Truth Social.

Trump said he hoped that China, France, Japan, South Korea, Britain and others would send ships to the area.

"In the meantime, the United States will be bombing the hell out of the shoreline, and continually shooting Iranian Boats and Ships out of the water," he wrote.

The White House did not immediately respond to a request for comment on whether any countries had agreed to send ships.

 

Trump claimed in G7 call that Iran is 'about to surrender'

WASHINGTON, Mar 13: President Trump told G7 leaders in a virtual meeting Wednesday that Iran is "about to surrender," according to three officials from G7 countries briefed on the contents of the call.

24 hours later, Iran's new supreme leader issued his first public statement vowing to keep fighting.

Trump is as confident about the war's outcome in private as he is in public. But his assessment is colliding with a more complex reality on the ground.

The Iranian regime has shown no signs of imminent surrender or collapse — and on Day 14 of the war, is moving to gain more leverage by choking off the Strait of Hormuz.

Trump boasted about the results of Operation Epic Fury on the G7 call Wednesday morning, telling allies, "I got rid of a cancer that was threatening us all."

While claiming Iran was about to surrender, he also suggested there were no officials left alive in Tehran with the power to make that decision.

"Nobody knows who is the leader, so there is no one that can announce surrender," Trump said, according to two officials briefed on the call.

Trump has mocked Iran's new supreme leader Mojtaba Khamenei as a "lightweight," previously telling Axios that Ayatollah Ali Khamenei's son would be "unacceptable" to the U.S.

The call took place amid grave concern among G7 leaders over the war's growing economic fallout.

All of the other leaders urged Trump to end the war quickly, stressing that the Strait of Hormuz must be secured as soon as possible, two officials briefed on the call tell Axios.

Trump said the Hormuz situation is improving and that commercial ships should resume operations in the area, an official briefed on the call said.

Trump said the main question he is working through is timing. He gave no deadline but said "we need to finish the job" to avoid another war with Iran in five years.

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer and French President Emmanuel Macron urged Trump on the call not to allow Moscow to exploit the war or receive sanctions relief, two officials said.

Hours later, Putin envoy Kirill Dmitriev met in Florida with Trump advisers Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner to discuss the global energy crisis.

On Thursday, despite the objections of the three European powers, the Treasury Department announced a one-month waiver on U.S. sanctions on Russian oil.

The waiver applies only to oil already in transit and requires it have no connection to Iran, with the intended effect of stabilizing global energy markets.

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent stressed in a statement that the measure "will not provide significant financial benefit to the Russian government."

'Going To Hit Them Very Hard Next Week': Trump's Fresh Warning For Iran

WASHINGTON, Mar 13: US President Donald Trump said that US forces would be carrying out intense strikes on Iran as the war enters its third week. The Republican leader spoke to Fox News Radio and said, "We're going to be hitting them very hard over the next week."

Trump said that Iran's leadership could be toppled by its own people. "I really think that's a big hurdle to climb for people that don't have weapons," Trump said. "I think it's a very big hurdle... It'll happen, but it probably will be, maybe not immediately."

His comments came shortly after he issued a partial 30-day waiver for purchases of sanctioned Russian oil, hoping to ease prices fuelled by the US-Israeli war on Iran.

Earlier in the day, Trump wrote a sharp warning to Iran on social media. He said that it was a "great honour" to be responsible for killing Iran's leadership, calling them "deranged scumbags".

Iran's Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei on Thursday vowed to continue the attacks and keep the strait closed in his first public statement since succeeding his father, who was killed on the opening day of the war. Khamenei has not been seen in public since taking over leadership and released a written statement.

Iran's new Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei is 'damaged, but alive': Trump

WASHINGTON, Mar 13: US President Donald Trump said on Friday he believes Iran’s newly appointed Supreme Leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, is still alive “in some form,” despite not being seen publicly since taking office after the war in Iran began.

Trump's remarks came hours after the new Iranian supreme leader's first public remarks were run by news portals, in which resolved to keep fighting, promising more pain for Gulf Arab states and threatening to open “other fronts” in a war that has already disrupted world energy supplies, the global economy and international travel.

“I think he probably is. I think he is damaged, but I think he’s probably alive in some form, you know,” Fox News quoted Trump as saying in an interview in “The Brian Kilmeade Show” scheduled to air Friday at 10:06 am ET.

Hegseth said Khamenei 'is wounded, likely disfigured'

WASHINGTON, Mar 13: United States Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth said on Friday that Iran’s new Supreme Leader Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei is “wounded and likely disfigured,” a day after the cleric issued a written statement vowing to continue the war.

Speaking on Friday, Hegseth said, “We know the new so-called (not-so) Supreme Leader is wounded and likely disfigured. He put out a statement yesterday, a weak one actually, but there was no voice and there was no video. It was a written statement.”

“Iran has plenty of cameras and plenty of voice recorders. Why a written statement? I think you know why. His father's dead. He's scared. He's injured. He's on the run. And he lacks legitimacy. It's a mess for them. Who's in charge? Iran may not even know,” the war secretary added.

Trump stopping Iran’s ‘evil empire’ more important than oil prices

WAASHINGTON, Mar 12: U.S. President Donald Trump ⁠said on ‌Thursday that halting Iran from having nuclear weapons is a priority over oil profit concerns.

“The United States is the largest Oil Producer in the World, by far, so when oil prices go up, we make a lot of money. BUT, of far greater interest and importance to me, as President, is stopping an evil Empire, Iran, from having Nuclear Weapons, and destroying the Middle East and, indeed, the World. I won’t ever let that happen!” Trump said.

Iran lays mines in Strait Of Hormuz, Trump threatens with ‘never before seen' consequences

WASHINGTON, Mar 11: As the Middle East war wreaks havoc on global oil markets, Iran has begun planting mines in the Strait of Hormuz, the world’s most critical energy chokepoint that carries about one-fifth of global crude oil supplies.

The mining activity remains limited for now, with only a few dozen mines reportedly placed in recent days, sources told CNN.

In apparent response to media reports that Iran ​had begun laying mines in the waterway, a key passage for oil shipments, Trump posted on Truth Social: "If ​Iran has put out any mines in the Hormuz Strait, and we have no reports ⁠of them doing so, we want them removed, IMMEDIATELY!"

He said that if Tehran did not do so it would face ​military consequences, without providing details.

Iran would face consequences “at a level never before seen," Trump said. He also suggested that if Tehran removes “what may have been placed, it will be a giant step in the right direction!"

Trump also said the U.S. was using the same technology deployed against drug traffickers to "permanently eliminate ​any boat or ship attempting to mine the Hormuz Strait."

Later on Tuesday, Trump claimed that the US had "completely destroyed" 10 inactive mine-laying vessels near the Strait of Hormuz.

Meanwhile, the US military posted video footage of Iranian boats blasted by missiles and other projectiles as it said it had destroyed 16 minelayers near the Strait of Hormuz, the chokepoint to the Gulf through which one-fifth of the world's oil passes.

The Strait of Hormuz has mostly been blocked by Iran since the United States and Israel launched coordinated attacks in late February. Trump has pledged to attack Iran “twenty times harder” if it disrupts the flow of oil that passes through the Strait.

Trump says there's 'practically nothing left' to target in Iran

WASHINGTON, Mar 11: US President Donald Trump on Wednesday once again claimed that the war with Iran will end "soon", stating that it will end any time he wants it to end. In a phone interview with Axios, Trump said there is "practically nothing left to target".

Amid the escalating tensions in the Middle East region, Trump said, "Little this and that...Any time I want it to end, it will end."

Even as Trump hinted that the objectives of his operation have been largely achieved in Iran, strikes and attacks have not come to a halt in the Middle East.

Earlier in the day, Israeli defence minister Israel Katz said that the joint striking campaign with the US would go on "as long as necessary".

"This operation will continue without any time limit, as long as necessary, until we achieve all the objectives and decide the outcome of the campaign," he was quoted as saying by news agency AFP.

Katz stated that strikes in Tehran and across the country would continue "day after day, target after target". He added that the attacks would continue to allow Iranians to rise up, act and remove the Khamenei-led regime. "Ultimately, that is something that depends on them," Katz said.

Trump's claim that the war would end came just a day after he told CBS News that the war is "very complete". He claimed that Iran had no navy, no communications and no air force.

"Their missiles are down to a scatter. Their drones are being blown up all over the place, including their manufacturing of drones," Trump added. He also said that Tehran has nothing left in a "military sense."

The US President further warned Iran not to "try anything cute".

"They've shot everything they have to shoot, and they better not try anything cute or it's going to be the end of that country…If they do anything bad, that would be the end of Iran and you'd never hear the name again," Trump was quoted as saying.

Trump announces 'historic' $300 billion oil refinery in Texas, thanks Reliance

WASHINGTON, Mar 11: US President Donald Trump has announced that the US will get its first new oil refinery in 50 years. Taking to Truth Social, the US president announced that this achievement comes with the help of investment from India’s Reliance Industries Ltd.

“I am proud to announce that America First Refining is opening the FIRST new U.S. Oil Refinery in 50 YEARS in Brownsville, Texas,” Trump said Tuesday in a post on Truth Social.

The announcement comes as the Trump administration pursues a policy of energy dominance, backing the production of oil, natural gas and coal. The refinery announcement also comes as world's oil and gas supply has come to a halt with the conflict between Iran, US and Israel.

“THIS IS A HISTORIC $300 BILLION DOLLAR DEAL — THE BIGGEST IN U.S. HISTORY, A MASSIVE WIN for American Workers, Energy, and the GREAT People of South Texas! Thank you to our partners in India, and their largest privately held Energy Company, Reliance, for this tremendous Investment,” Trump wrote further.

The Republican leader added that the setting up of the new refinery comes due to his “America First Agenda” which has streamlined permits and lowered taxes, allowing “Billions of Dollars in Deals coming back to our Nation".

“A new Refinery at the Port of Brownsville, will fuel US Markets, strengthen our National Security, boost American Energy production, deliver Billions of Dollars in Economic impact, and will be THE CLEANEST REFINERY IN THE WORLD. It will power Global Exports, and bring THOUSANDS of long overdue Jobs and Growth to a Region that deserves it. This is what AMERICAN ENERGY DOMINANCE looks like. AMERICA FIRST, ALWAYS” the US leader added further.

In Trump's statement, the refinery is a $300 billion deal. However, it has not been made clear if he meant this investment was part of a bigger deal with India.

Trump Says Iran War Could Be Over Soon, Then A Threat Over Oil

MIAMI, Mar 10: U.S. President Donald Trump said Monday that the war against Iran could be short-lived, but he left open the possibility of an escalation in fighting if global oil supplies are disrupted by the Islamic Republic, which chose a new hard-line supreme leader.

Oil prices briefly shot to their highest level since 2022 a day after Iran selected Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei to succeed his late father as Iran's supreme leader. Investors saw it as a signal that Iran was digging in 10 days into the war launched by the United States and Israel.

But prices later fell and U.S. stocks rose on hopes that the war with Iran may not last much longer.

"We took a little excursion" to the Middle East "to get rid of some evil. And, I think you'll see it's going to be a short-term excursion," Trump told Republican lawmakers at his golf club near Miami.

Hours later, Trump posted on social media: "If Iran does anything that stops the flow of Oil within the Strait of Hormuz, they will be hit by the United States of America TWENTY TIMES HARDER than they have been hit thus far. Additionally, we will take out easily destroyable targets that will make it virtually impossible for Iran to ever be built back, as a Nation, again - Death, Fire, and Fury will reign upon them But I hope, and pray, that it does not happen! This is a gift from the United States of America to China, and all of those Nations that heavily use the Hormuz Strait. Hopefully, it is a gesture that will be greatly appreciated."

In an apparent response to Trump's remarks published in Iranian state media, a spokesperson for the paramilitary Revolutionary Guard, Ali Mohammad Naini, said "Iran will determine when the war ends."

Trump Calls Iran 'Loser Of The Middle East', Warns Of Big Strike

WASHINGTON, Mar 7: US President Donald Trump on Saturday labelled Tehran as the "loser of the Middle East" after Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian apologised to the neighbouring countries for attacks launched during its war with Israel and the United States. He also warned that Iran "will be hit very hard" today.

In a post on Truth Social, Trump wrote, "Iran, which is being beat to HELL, has apologized and surrendered to its Middle East neighbors, and promised that it will not shoot at them anymore. This promise was only made because of the relentless U.S. and Israeli attack."

The Republican leader claimed in his social media post that Iran was "looking to take over and rule the Middle East".

"Iran is no longer the "Bully of the middle east," they are, instead, "The loser of the middle east," and will be for many decades until they surrender or, more likely, completely collapse!", Trump said.

US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said in a television interview on Friday that the "biggest bombing campaign" of the war was still to come.

The US and Israel have battered Iran with strikes, targeting its military capabilities, leadership and nuclear programme. The stated goals and timelines for the war have repeatedly shifted, as the US has at times suggested it seeks to topple Iran's government or elevate new leadership from within.

'No Deal With Iran Except Unconditional Surrender': Trump

WASHINGTON, Mar 6: US President Donald Trump on Friday demanded Iran's "unconditional surrender" as the only acceptable outcome to end hostilities, while promising to help rebuild the country's economy if Tehran complied and installed new leadership.

"There will be no deal with Iran except UNCONDITIONAL SURRENDER," Trump wrote on his Truth Social platform.

The post came as Israel bombarded regime targets in Tehran and Hezbollah positions in Beirut, and Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth said US strikes against Iran were "about to surge dramatically."

Trump said that following any capitulation by the Islamic Republic, the United States and its allies would work to bring Iran "back from the brink of destruction, making it economically bigger, better, and stronger than ever before."

This would be contingent on the installation of what he called "a GREAT & ACCEPTABLE Leader(s)."

He closed with a new slogan — "MAKE IRAN GREAT AGAIN (MIGA!)" — a riff on his "Make America Great Again" political brand.

US Tests 'Doomsday' Missile Amid Iran War. It Can Strike Any Place On Earth

WASHINGTON, Mar 5: The US has tested the unarmed Minuteman III intercontinental ballistic missile, dubbed the "doomsday missile", amid a raging war with Iran.

The test launch was equipped with two test re-entry vehicles and was conducted on Tuesday from the Vandenberg Space Force Base, California, the Air Force Global Strike Command said in an official statement on Wednesday.

The launch was scheduled years ago and is "not in response to world events", it said.

The ICBM can carry nuclear warheads 20x more powerful than Hiroshima and travel 6,000 miles at 15,000 mph.

It hit its target near the Marshall Islands.

"It is a key component of a data-driven program that has been in place for decades, involving over 300 similar tests designed to validate the performance of the weapon system. The data collected from these routine tests is essential for ongoing and future force development," it said.

During the test, the ICBM's two reentry vehicles traveled thousands of miles to a predetermined target at the Kwajalein Atoll in the Marshall Islands.

"This long-range flight allows engineers and weapons experts from the 377th Test and Evaluation Group to collect invaluable data on the missile's accuracy and reliability, verifying that every component of the ICBM weapon system performs as designed," the statement read.

The US had earlier tested Minuteman III in November last year.

White House hints at taking control of Strait of Hormuz

WASHINGTON, Mar 4: US on Wednesday hinted at taking control of the Strait of Hormuz, the world’s most critical oil chokepoint, saying that Iran will no longer be controlling the key point.

“Ultimately, the energy industry will benefit from Trump’s actions with respect to Iran, because Iran will no longer be controlling the Strait of Hormuz and restricting the free flow of energy,” US press secretary Karoline Leavitt said in a press briefing on Wednesday.

US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth on Wednesday said the US and Israel are on the cusp of taking ‘complete control of Iran’s airspace’ as he laid out plans to step up attacks deeper in the country as its defenses are destroyed.

Trump Warns Of 'Third Wave' Of Attacks On Iran After Eliminating Top Leaders

WASHINGTON, Mar 3: US President Donald Trump warned on Tuesday that the US is initiating a "third wave" of military strikes against Iran. This follows the elimination of Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, during the initial phases of Operation Epic Fury.

Ahead of a bilateral meeting in the Oval Office with the German chancellor Friedrich Merz, Trump said that "everything's been knocked out" in Iran.

"As you know, 49 people were taken out in the first hit. And I guess there was another hit today on the new leadership, and it looks like that was pretty substantial also. So they're getting hit very hard, and we'll see what happens," he said.

He added, "I guess you have a third wave coming."

Trump said that two waves of US-Israeli attacks on Iran had killed figures he had eyed as potential new leaders, adding that there had been a "substantial" new attack on a meeting to choose the new leadership.

"Most of the people we had in mind are dead," he said. "Now we have another group. They may be dead also, based on reports."

Trump also claimed that Iran's navy, air force, air detection and radar has been knocked out.

"They have no navy - it's been knocked out. They have no air force; that's been knocked out. They have no air detection; that's been knocked out. Their radar has been knocked out, and just about everything's been knocked out," he told reporters.

The primary goals of the joint attack by the US and Israel was to destroy Iran's nuclear and missile capabilities and topple the regime.

Iran has retaliated by targeting US military bases in Bahrain, Kuwait, and the UAE, as well as the US Embassy in Riyadh. Hezbollah has also entered the conflict, launching strikes against Israel in response to Khamenei's death.

Trump Says Won't Rule Out Boots On Ground In Iran: Report

WASHINGTON, Mar 2: US President Donald Trump said on Monday that he's not ruling out sending US ground troops into Iran "if they were necessary".

"I don't have the yips with respect to boots on the ground - like every president says, 'There will be no boots on the ground.' I don't say it," Trump said after launching strikes Saturday to decapitate Iran's military and political leadership. "I say 'probably don't need them,' [or] 'if they were necessary," he told NY Post.

"We have hit hundreds of targets in Iran, including Revolutionary Guard facilities and Iranian air defense systems. It was just now announced that we knocked out 9 ships plus their naval building all in a matter of literally minutes," said Donald Trump.

The "big wave" is yet to come in the war with Iran, U.S. President Donald Trump told CNN on Monday, adding that Washington did not know who the country's new leader would be following the killing of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

"We haven't even started hitting them hard. The big wave hasn't even happened. The big one is coming soon," Trump said, telling CNN it was unclear who was now leading the country.

"We don't know who the leadership is. We don't know who they'll pick," he said.

Iran-US talks likely to resume: Trump says 'agreed' after Tehran's offer via Oman

WASHINGTON, Mar 1: Oman's foreign minister, who had been mediating US-Iran talks, on Sunday urged a ceasefire during a call with his Iranian counterpart and said that Tehran has indicated a willingness to de-escalate.

This comes as Iran launched a second day of strikes in response to ongoing US-Israeli air raids.

Badr Albusaidi "affirmed the Sultanate of Oman's continued call for a ceasefire and a return to dialogue... in a manner that achieves the legitimate demands of all parties," Oman's foreign ministry said in a readout of a call with Iran's foreign minister Abbas Araghchi.

According to the Oman foreign ministry statement, Araghchi said Iran was "calling for peace," and voiced "the openness of the Iranian side to any serious efforts that contribute to stopping the escalation and returning to stability".

On Sunday in Oman, which had been the only Gulf state spared from attack during the first day of the Iranian campaign, the port of Duqm was targeted by two Iranian drones, injuring one foreign worker, official state media reported.

US President Donald Trump said on Sunday that Iran's new leadership wants to talk to him and that he has agreed, according to an interview with Atlantic magazine.

"They want to talk, and I have agreed to talk, so I will be talking to them. They should have done it sooner. They should have given what was very practical and easy to do sooner. They waited too long," Trump said in the interview from his Florida residence.

However, the Republican leader did not specify who he would be speaking with or say whether it would occur on Sunday or Monday.

Oman has served as a critical, neutral mediator between the United States and Iran, hosting indirect talks in Muscat to facilitate dialogue amidst rising tensions. These efforts, led by Omani officials, aimed to establish conditions for negotiations regarding Iran's nuclear program and regional stability.

Before Saturday's joint US-Israel strikes jolted everything, Oman had continued its role by brokering discussions in Geneva since the turn of the year to prevent further conflict. Throughout the escalation, Oman communicated Tehran's openness to de-escalation to restore a truce.