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The United States has issued an ultimatum to Iran, making compliance with its demands a condition for lifting what it described as an “unprecedented naval blockade” and reopening the Strait of Hormuz for unrestricted maritime traffic.
According to a statement attributed to US President Donald Trump on Truth Social, Iran must agree that it will never acquire nuclear weapons in order for the Strait of Hormuz to be fully reopened for shipping in both directions without additional charges or restrictions.
Trump said that vessels affected by what he called a “remarkable and unprecedented naval blockade” would then be able to begin returning to normal routes.
He also claimed that US forces had already neutralized numerous naval mines using American minesweepers and detonations, and that Iran must now complete the removal of any remaining mines.
In another part of the statement, Trump referred to the destruction of Iran’s nuclear infrastructure, saying that enriched material buried deep underground—described by him as “nuclear dust”—would be excavated and destroyed. He claimed this material had been trapped beneath collapsed rock following US airstrikes conducted nearly a year earlier using B-2 bombers.
According to Trump, only the United States and China possess the technical capability to carry out such an operation, which he said would take place in coordination with Iran and the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).
He added that financial settlements between the countries would remain suspended until further notice, while other “less significant issues” had already been agreed upon.
The statement comes amid heightened tensions between Washington and Tehran. Trump has previously warned that if negotiations fail to produce a deal favorable to the US, military strikes against Iran could resume.
Earlier reports indicated that the US and Iran had discussed a draft framework involving a 60-day ceasefire period to allow further talks on Iran’s nuclear program, but the agreement has not been finalized or formally approved.
Following the developments, global oil markets reacted sharply, with prices falling around 8% over the week amid uncertainty over the negotiations and geopolitical risks in the region.
