Senator Marco Rubio stated that Iran would benefit from serious negotiations on its nuclear program, provided it opens the Strait of Hormuz and commits to not possessing nuclear weapons. He indicated that the US is not in a hurry to reach a deal, while Iran insists on its right to develop its nuclear program for peaceful purposes.
Iran and the US are reportedly in talks for a temporary truce, aiming to reopen the Strait of Hormuz and pave the way for broader nuclear negotiations. A 30-day pause in hostilities is proposed, with discussions focusing on lifting shipping blockades and ending military actions. More complex issues like sanctions relief and Iran's nuclear program remain under negotiation.
US Central Command has prepared plans for a 'short and powerful' wave of strikes on Iran targeting key infrastructure, according to an Axios report. President Trump is set to be briefed on Thursday by CENTCOM Commander Admiral Brad Cooper, with options including taking control of parts of the Strait of Hormuz or a special forces operation to secure Iran's highly enriched uranium stockpile. Trump currently views the naval blockade as his primary leverage but remains open to military action if Iran does not yield.
Oil prices jumped to their highest since mid-2022 as reports emerged that the U.S. Central Command will brief Trump on potential military action against Iran, raising fears of armed conflict. Brent crude rose over 3% to $121.65 while WTI added 2% to $109.03. Goldman Sachs estimates Hormuz exports have fallen to just 4% of normal levels amid a U.S. blockade.
Oil prices surged to their highest levels since mid-2022 as reports indicated the U.S. Central Command would brief Trump on potential military action against Iran, adding to concerns about armed conflict resuming. Brent crude rose over 3% to $121.65 while WTI gained 2% to $109.03, building on Wednesday's 6-7% gains. The U.S. blockade of Iranian exports has reduced Hormuz shipments to just 4% of normal levels, with Goldman Sachs warning of supply disruptions and emerging demand weakness.
Oil prices extended gains Thursday as a U.S. blockade of Iranian exports persists and nuclear negotiations remain stalled. Brent crude rose about 1.96% to around $120 a barrel, the highest since mid-2022, while WTI added 0.2% to $107.09. President Trump rejected Tehran's proposal to reopen the Strait of Hormuz and threatened Iran on Truth Social, signaling the naval blockade will remain until a broader nuclear deal is reached.
US President Donald Trump said the decision on whether to launch new strikes against Iran depends on how negotiations between Washington and Tehran proceed. He stated there will be no deal unless Iran agrees to have no nuclear weapons, while Tehran has repeatedly stressed it is not trying to develop nuclear weapons. The US and Israel launched military operations against Iran on February 28, killing 3,375 people in 40 days, according to Iranian Emergency Medical Services. Iran rejected Washington's unilateral extension of the ceasefire on April 21.
Iran has submitted a new proposal to the US through Pakistani mediators, prioritizing the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz and ending the war before nuclear negotiations begin. The proposal comes as second-round peace talks stalled, with Iranian Foreign Minister Araghchi telling mediators there is no consensus within Iran's leadership on how to address US demands. The US wants Iran to suspend uranium enrichment for at least a decade and remove enriched uranium, but Trump's naval blockade remains a key leverage point he appears unwilling to surrender.
A secret letter from senior Iranian officials to Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei, urging meaningful nuclear negotiations with the US amid severe economic crisis, has leaked and sparked a political firestorm. The document signed by Parliament Speaker Ghalibaf, President Pezeshkian, and Foreign Minister Araghchi warned of unsustainable economic conditions. Trump claimed Iranian officials were 'fighting like cats and dogs' over negotiations, prompting coordinated unity messages from Iranian leaders rejecting hardliner-moderate labels.
