President Donald Trump said Operation Epic Fury and restrictions around the Strait of Hormuz could end if Iran accepts a proposed agreement aimed at reopening negotiations and reducing regional tensions.
By yourNEWS Media Newsroom
President Donald Trump said Wednesday that the ongoing military confrontation involving Iran and the Strait of Hormuz could come to an end if Tehran accepts a new U.S.-backed proposal designed to halt fighting, reopen critical shipping lanes, and restart nuclear negotiations.
In a statement posted to Truth Social, Trump said the proposed agreement would bring an end to “Operation Epic Fury” and allow maritime traffic to resume through the strategic waterway if Iran complies with the terms currently under discussion.
“Assuming Iran agrees to give what has been agreed to, which is, perhaps, a big assumption, the already legendary Epic Fury will be at an end, and the highly effective Blockade will allow the Hormuz Strait to be OPEN TO ALL, including Iran,” Trump wrote.
The president also warned that military operations would escalate if Tehran rejects the proposal.
“If they don’t agree, the bombing starts, and it will be, sadly, at a much higher level and intensity than it was before,” Trump stated.
According to reporting from Axios and Reuters, the emerging framework centers on a one-page, 14-point memorandum of understanding that would temporarily freeze the conflict while creating a 30-day negotiating window for a broader peace and nuclear agreement.
The proposal reportedly is being negotiated through direct and backchannel discussions involving U.S. envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner alongside Iranian officials.
Under the framework, Iran would temporarily halt uranium enrichment activities while the United States would ease sanctions, release frozen Iranian funds, and begin reducing restrictions surrounding maritime activity in the Strait of Hormuz.
The waterway remains one of the world’s most strategically important shipping routes, carrying approximately one-fifth of global oil and gas traffic.
Recent Iranian restrictions on shipping through the strait triggered major disruptions to global energy markets and prompted the United States to launch “Project Freedom,” a naval escort operation intended to move commercial shipping safely through the region.
Trump earlier announced a temporary pause in portions of Project Freedom, saying the decision came at the request of Pakistan and other regional governments amid progress in diplomatic negotiations.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Tuesday that U.S. offensive operations against Iran had concluded for now, though he warned Washington remained prepared to respond forcefully to additional attacks targeting shipping traffic or American forces. In comments reported by Newsmax, Rubio said the United States retains the capability to respond with “devastating” force if necessary.
Military tensions in the region remain elevated despite the diplomatic push.
Iranian officials warned that vessels deviating from approved shipping corridors in the Strait of Hormuz could face a “firm response” from Iran’s Revolutionary Guard naval forces.
“We have not even started yet,” Iran’s chief negotiator said following recent confrontations in the waterway.
Iran also denied accusations involving new missile and drone attacks in the Gulf region after the United Arab Emirates reported intercepting another wave of incoming projectiles for a second consecutive day.
“The armed forces … did not launch any missile or drone operation,” Iran’s Khatam al-Anbiya command stated.
The latest diplomatic activity follows several days of renewed military clashes. Iran launched missile and drone attacks against U.S. forces earlier this week, while American officials said U.S. forces destroyed six Iranian boats accused of threatening commercial shipping routes.
Gen. Dan Caine said U.S. Central Command remains fully prepared to restart large-scale combat operations if directed by the president.
Meanwhile, diplomatic outreach expanded beyond Washington and Tehran. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi traveled to Beijing this week for talks with Chinese officials regarding the conflict and ongoing negotiations.
Following meetings with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, Araghchi said Tehran would only accept “a fair and comprehensive agreement” with the United States.
“We will do our best to protect our legitimate rights and interests in the negotiations,” Araghchi said, according to Iranian state media. “We only accept a fair and comprehensive agreement.”
Financial markets responded positively to signs of possible de-escalation. Oil prices fell sharply Wednesday as investors reacted to reports suggesting negotiations could reopen the Strait of Hormuz and reduce the threat of broader regional war.
Brent crude futures dropped nearly 8%, while U.S. stock indexes continued rallying amid hopes that diplomacy could prevent further disruptions to global trade and energy supplies.
Analysts, however, warned that markets remain highly vulnerable to renewed fighting if negotiations break down or military operations resume.
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