Rising tensions and a prolonged disruption in a key oil transit route have prompted U.S. officials to weigh next steps while energy prices climb.
By yourNEWS Media Newsroom
President Donald Trump issued a warning to Iran on Wednesday, urging its leadership to act quickly on a potential agreement as U.S. officials continue evaluating military options tied to the ongoing standoff in the Strait of Hormuz.
“Iran can’t get their act together. They don’t know how to sign a nonnuclear deal. They better get smart soon!” Trump wrote on Truth Social, accompanying the post with an image featuring the phrase “NO MORE MR. NICE GUY!”
The statement came as members of the president’s national security team reviewed a range of potential responses during a recent Situation Room meeting, including adjustments to U.S. military presence and posture in the strategic waterway. According to a report from NBC News, discussions included options to either expand or scale back forces, as well as considerations for more assertive operations. Officials cited in the report said no final decision has been made.
The Strait of Hormuz, a critical passage for global energy transport, has remained largely disrupted for approximately two months amid heightened tensions between Washington and Tehran. About one-fifth of the world’s oil supply typically flows through the corridor, and the slowdown has contributed to rising energy costs. The national average price for gasoline has climbed to $4.23 per gallon, while Brent crude has approached $115 per barrel.
Economic pressures are also evident in Iran, where the national currency has declined to an estimated 1.8 million rials per U.S. dollar.
U.S. officials have indicated limited support for a recent Iranian proposal to reopen the strait without addressing concerns surrounding Tehran’s nuclear program. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said any agreement must “definitively prevent them from sprinting toward a nuclear weapon at any point.”
White House spokesperson Anna Kelly said negotiations remain active but noted internal challenges within Iran following Operation Epic Fury, a joint U.S.-Israeli military effort. “The president will only enter into an agreement that puts U.S. national security first, and he has been clear that Iran can never possess a nuclear weapon,” Kelly said.
Trump also referenced the situation during a state dinner Tuesday with King Charles III, stating that the United States had “militarily defeated” Iran and reiterating that it would not be allowed to develop nuclear weapons. A spokesperson for the British monarchy said the king supports longstanding international efforts aimed at preventing nuclear proliferation.
U.S. naval operations in the region continue as part of broader efforts to apply economic pressure. American forces have maintained a presence in the strait and recently boarded a commercial vessel before allowing it to proceed.
Iran has reportedly targeted multiple commercial ships during the standoff, attacking three and seizing two. Maritime traffic through the strait remains significantly reduced, with only a limited number of vessels passing through in recent hours.
One tanker, the Idemitsu Maru, successfully transited the waterway Wednesday and is currently en route to Japan, marking a rare instance of movement through the otherwise constrained shipping lane.