Trump rules out direct Iran talks amid rising Strait of Hormuz tensions

US President Donald Trump stated that no direct diplomatic talks are currently scheduled with Iran, reiterating that Tehran must not obtain nuclear weapons and warning of potential military escalation if Iranian forces disrupt maritime traffic in the Strait of Hormuz. The warning followed reports of a vessel being targeted in the strategic waterway. In response, Iranian officials warned that Tehran is prepared to shift to an offensive stance if diplomatic channels fail.

Simultaneously, broader regional peace efforts remain stalled. Hamas announced its agreement to the second phase of a US-backed peace framework. However, Israel reaffirmed that a complete withdrawal of its forces from Gaza is strictly conditional on the total disarmament of Hamas, maintaining a key point of disagreement.

Sources: CDM (Cafe del Montenegro).