US-Iran ceasefire talks linked to Strait of Hormuz reopening: Report
US officials say ceasefire talks with Iran hinge on reopening the Strait of Hormuz, but Tehran denies negotiations as tensions escalate.
The US and Iran are currently in talks over a potential deal involving a ceasefire if Tehran reopens the Strait of Hormuz. The development comes at a time when US President Donald Trump has repeatedly claimed that Iran was eager to strike a deal as it has been battered militarily, but Tehran has denied the claims, stating that it was fully prepared for a long, drawn-out war.
The revelation came in an Axios report quoting three US officials. The report further stated that the officials have clarified that it is still unclear whether a deal will be reached or not. They also did not divulge whether the talks had taken place directly between Washington and Tehran or through mediators, adding that President Trump was discussing the possibility with officials inside and outside his administration.
Backchannel efforts and regional outreach
The officials revealed that the US President has also discussed the possibility of a ceasefire during a call on Wednesday (April 2) with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, adding that Trump had also spoken to UAE President Mohammed bin Zayed.
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According to the report, Vice President JD Vance has been holding talks through mediators on the possibility of a ceasefire. It further stated that Vance reiterated Trump’s warning of strikes on Iranian infrastructure if a deal is not reached.
Public statements and denials
Trump said on Wednesday that Iran had approached Washington seeking a ceasefire, but added that any such move would only be considered if the Strait of Hormuz was reopened.
Iran’s Foreign Ministry moved quickly to reject Trump’s assertion, reiterating its longstanding position that Tehran has not engaged in any direct talks with the United States.
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“Iran's New Regime President, much less Radicalized and far more intelligent than his predecessors, has just asked the United States of America for a CEASEFIRE! We will consider when Hormuz Strait is open, free, and clear,” stated Trump in an earlier post on Truth Social.
He added that until such conditions were met, the US would continue “blasting Iran into oblivion or, as they say, back to the Stone Ages!!!”
A spokesperson for Iran’s Foreign Ministry dismissed the comments as “false and baseless,” pushing back on any suggestion that Tehran had made such a request.
Trump’s broader case for the war
Meanwhile, Trump on Wednesday (April 1) attempted to lay out his case for the ongoing war with Iran, speaking at a moment of mounting scrutiny at home and unease abroad. The address, delivered from the White House, capped a day in which Trump asserted sweeping executive authority, including an unprecedented appearance at a US Supreme Court hearing.
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Earlier in the evening, as NASA launched its Artemis II mission, Trump briefly acknowledged the milestone before turning back to the conflict. "America, as it has been for five years under my presidency is winning — and now winning bigger than ever before. We're going to finish the job and we’re going to finish it very fast,” he said.
Framing the campaign as essential, Trump said he wanted to “discuss why Operation Epic Fury is necessary for the safety of America and the security of the free world.” Still, he offered little clarity on next steps or how the war would conclude.