Iran on Tuesday dismissed US President Donald Trump’s claim that Tehran had requested a “CEASEFIRE” as “false and baseless”.
“Trump’s claim that Iran has requested a ceasefire is false and baseless,” said Iran’s Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei, according to state media.
The Iranian response came hours after Trump claimed that Iran had sought a ceasefire, but added the US would consider the request only when the Strait of Hormuz is “open and free”.
Trump has been making contradictory remarks, appearing increasingly desperate for an end to the ongoing war in Iran that the United States launched alon with Israel on February 28.
On the very first day, US and Israeli strikes killed top Iranian leaders, including Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and his close associates.
However, Ali Khamenei’s son, Mojtaba Khamenei, survived the February 28 attacks and was declared the new Supreme Leader of the Islamic Revolution in Iran.
The Trump administration initially suggested that the US seeks regime change in Iran and an end to the country’s nuclear capabilities while announcing a 4-6 week timeline for the war.
Both the US and Israel apparently underestimated Iran’s ability to retaliate, as Tehran responded strongly, targeting US assets in several Gulf countries.
While the US and Israel gained air superiority within days, Iranian drones and missiles also wreaked havoc in Israel and Gulf countries.
Iran also enforced a blockade in the Strait of Hormuz, a key shipping route in the Persian Gulf, disrupting the supply of crude oil and LPG and triggering a massive global energy crisis.
Trump called on allies and countries dependent on the Hormuz route to join the US efforts to reopen the chokepoint waterway. However, they refused to be drawn into an active conflict and instead called for de-escalation.
As energy prices soared globally, pressure started to mount on Trump to end the war. A massive “no kings” protest in the US added to that pressure, prompting Trump to announce that he will exit the war in Iran in weeks and not months — even if the Strait of Hormuz remains closed.