Donald Trump has said Tehran’s new leader has requested a ceasefire, but vowed to continue “blasting Iran back to the Stone Ages” until the critical Strait of Hormuz shipping lane is reopened.
The US president, who is due to make a televised address later on Wednesday, made the announcement in a post on his Truth Social platform.
However, an Iran foreign ministry spokesman called Mr Trump’s comments “false and baseless”.
Mr Trump did not name the regime’s new leader who he said had called for a truce, but said he was “much less radicalised and far more intelligent than his predecessors”.
It is unclear with whom Washington has been negotiating with in Iran, with many of the country’s ruling figures having been killed during the conflict.
The White House said earlier this week it was “figuring out exactly who’s in charge”, while US secretary of state Marco Rubio said there were “some fractures going on… internally”.
— Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) April 1, 2026
In the face of ongoing military strikes by the US and Israel, Iran has tightened its grip on the maritime pinchpoint of the Strait of Hormuz, sending global oil and gas prices skyrocketing.
In his Truth Social post, Mr Trump said: “Iran’s New Regime President, much less Radicalized and far more intelligent than his predecessors, has just asked the United States of America for a CEASEFIRE! We will consider when Hormuz Strait is open, free, and clear. Until then, we are blasting Iran into oblivion or, as they say, back to the Stone Ages!!! President DJT”.
The conflict has strained transatlantic tensions, with the US president frequently lambasting the UK and other allies over their reluctance to being drawn into the fighting.
As a result, he has said he is considering whether to pull the US out of Nato.
Despite the frayed relations and calls to cancel, the King is to go ahead with a state visit to Washington at the end of this month for the 250th anniversary of American independence, where he is due to speak at a joint meeting of the US House of Representatives and the Senate on April 28.
The letter of invitation from Congressional leaders said: “We believe an address to Congress will provide a unique opportunity to share your vision for the future of our special relationship and reaffirm our alliance at this pivotal time in history.”
Despite his criticism of the UK, including deriding His Majesty’s Royal Navy, Mr Trump has declared the visit will be “TERRIFIC!” and a “momentous occasion”.
