Iran in a ‘State of Collapse’, wants US to open Hormuz Strait amid ‘leadership situation’: Donald Trump

US President Donald Trump on Tuesday claimed that Iran is in a “State of Collapse” and wants Washington to lift its military blockade in the Strait of Hormuz as they figure out their “leadership situation”.

“Iran has just informed us that they are in a “State of Collapse.” They want us to “Open the Hormuz Strait,” as soon as possible, as they try to figure out their leadership situation (Which I believe they will be able to do!),” Trump wrote on Truth Social.

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His post came amid reports of Iran sending a fresh proposal to the US through Pakistan, proposing reopening the Strait of Hormuz as the basis of ending the war.

The proposal also calls for postponing the contentious nuclear issue for future negotiations.

However, Trump reportedly expressed reservations over the Iranian proposal during a meeting with national security aides at the White House.

According to CNN, one official said the President is “not likely to accept the plan,” citing concerns that easing pressure without addressing uranium enrichment would weaken US leverage.

Officials are particularly wary that restoring shipping in the strait without tackling Iran’s stockpile of near-bomb-grade uranium could dilute a critical pressure point in ongoing diplomacy.

The proposal, though has some takers in the Trump administration, with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio describing it as “better than what we thought they were going to submit.”

He too, however, underscored that any deal must ensure Iran never acquires a nuclear weapon.

“The nuclear question is the reason why we’re in this in the first place,” Rubio said in remarks cited by the State Department. He added that the Iranian programme “remains the core issue” driving the conflict.

Rubio also cautioned that Tehran’s negotiators are “very experienced” and suggested the proposal could be an attempt to buy time.