‘Iran in a state of collapse’: Trump says Tehran ’requested' US to open Strait of Hormuz as talks remain stalled
US President Donald Trump on Tuesday said Iran is in a “State of Collapse” even as he claimed that Tehran has requested the White House to open the Strait of Hormuz.
The US President didn’t elaborate on how Iran had communicated the message. Trump also reiterated that Tehran was reeling under leadership crisis.
“Iran has just informed us that they are in a “State of Collapse.” They want us to “Open the Hormuz Strait,” as soon as possible, as they try to figure out their leadership situation,” Trump wrote on Truth Social.
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Even after weeks of fighting between the US and Israel, the Strait of Hormuz, a narrow chokepoint at the centre of global trade, remains closed for maritime traffic.
The US has blocked ships going to and from Iranian ports to try and squeeze Tehran of oil revenue. Iran has reiterated it will not open the strait as long as the US maintains its blockade.
When will Strait of Hormuz reopen?
While Iran has imposed a blockade through its naval forces and installing 6,000 mines in the narrow passageway. The US has also claimed to impose the blockade on the ships passing through the strait.
Iran has called for an interim deal to reopen the Strait of Hormuz in exchange for Washington ending its blockade of Iranian ports. However, the two countries are yet to decide on an interim deal to end the blockade and the larger conflict in the region.
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But the Trump administration seemed unlikely to accept Iran’s offer to end the war and reopen the Strait of Hormuz.
Around 2,000 ships remain stranded in the region, waiting for a safe passage through the waterway. But even if the strait is reopened, there are several obstacles affecting maritime traffic.
Gulf leaders meet in Saudi
Gulf leaders met in Saudi Arabia on Tuesday for the first time since the start of the US-Iran conflict in February. A Gulf official said the meeting aimed to craft a response to the thousands of Iranian missile and drone attacks they faced since the US and Israel launched the war on Iran on February 28.
Though attacks have subsided since a ceasefire on April 8, Gulf capitals remain wary of resumed conflict.
(With inputs from agencies)