Trump claims Iran president requests ceasefire, Tehran says ‘false’; US to leave Iran 'very soon'
President Donald Trump claimed Wednesday that Iran's president had requested a ceasefire, insisting the Islamic Republic must first reopen the Strait of Hormuz. Tehran vehemently denied this, announcing a new barrage of missile and drone attacks targeting Israel and US bases in the Gulf. Trump also stated the US would be "finishing the job" and leaving Iran "very soon," possibly within two weeks. This comes ahead of a national address where he is expected to discuss the military operation he launched without Congress's approval.
On April 1, 2026, President Donald Trump made a claim on Truth Social that Iran's president had requested a ceasefire in the ongoing conflict. Trump stated that the U.S. would only consider a ceasefire once the Strait of Hormuz—which Iran had effectively closed, causing global oil prices to spike and pushing U.S. gas prices above $4 per gallon—was "open, free, and clear." He threatened military action, including striking Iran's power plants, if the strait remained closed beyond an April 6 deadline. Trump also indicated the U.S. would be "finishing the job" and leaving Iran "very soon," possibly within two to three weeks, though he told Reuters the U.S. would exit "pretty quickly" but might return for "spot hits" as needed.
Iran immediately and vehemently denied Trump's claims. Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmail Baghaei called the statement "false and baseless" during a state television broadcast. Iran's Revolutionary Guard countered that the Strait of Hormuz "is firmly and decisively under the control" of its forces and that "this strait will not be opened to the enemies of this nation." Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi rejected U.S. threats and deadlines, vowing Iran would defend itself.
The conflict timeline shows this followed earlier tensions, including a June 2025 ceasefire between Iran and Israel that Trump had announced after the Twelve-Day War, mediated by the U.S. and Qatar. That ceasefire took effect on June 24, 2025, with Iran halting attacks first, followed by Israel. However, by early 2026, hostilities had resumed, with ongoing U.S. and Israeli strikes on Iran since February 28, 2026, and recent Iranian attacks on targets including a Qatar/Kuwait oil tanker, an airport, and the Tofigh Daru factory.
Trump's latest claims came ahead of a planned national address where he was expected to discuss the military operation he launched without Congressional approval. The situation reflects Trump's pattern of mixed signals—announcing potential conflict resolution while simultaneously threatening escalation—amid unresolved issues including control of the critical Hormuz shipping lane and concerns about Iran's nuclear capabilities, despite ongoing highly enriched uranium stockpiles. The U.S. has deployed additional troops to the region as tensions continue.
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