President Donald Trump cranked up the pressure on Iran early Wednesday, posting a blunt warning on Truth Social as the U.S. blockade around the Strait of Hormuz drags on and diplomacy appears stuck.
“Iran can’t get their act together. They don’t know how to sign a nonnuclear deal. They better get smart soon!” Trump wrote shortly after 4 a.m. ET.
The post included an AI-generated image of Trump holding a gun with explosions in the background and the words “NO MORE MR. NICE GUY!”
Trump’s message landed as the Strait of Hormuz remains blockaded and the next steps in talks with Tehran are unclear. Efforts to keep negotiations moving in recent days have appeared to stall, after U.S. negotiators were expected to travel to Islamabad for more talks last weekend, only for Trump to cancel the trip.
“We have all the cards,” Trump told Fox News, arguing that if Iran wants to talk, “they can come to us, or they can call us.” Previous negotiations led by Vice President JD Vance also ended without a deal.
Iran has floated a proposal tied to the shipping choke point at the center of the standoff. Tehran has suggested it would reopen the Strait of Hormuz if the United States lifts its blockade of Iranian ports and the war ends, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt confirmed Monday.
The proposal would push negotiations over Iran’s nuclear program to a later date, Axios and The Associated Press reported Monday. Reuters reported Tuesday that Trump was unhappy with Tehran’s terms and that the White House was expected to return with a counteroffer.
Markets reacted as tensions stayed high. West Texas Intermediate futures rose after Trump’s post, trading 2.82% higher at $102.75, while Brent futures were up 3% to settle at $114.62.
Oil prices were already elevated after the United Arab Emirates said Tuesday it would leave OPEC on May 1, adding another jolt of uncertainty to the global supply outlook.
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