President Donald Trump has claimed that the United States is in talks with a 'more reasonable regime' to end the war in Iran, as oil prices jumped and stocks fell following the deployment of thousands more US troops to the Middle East.
On his Truth Social platform, Trump reiterated his warning to Tehran to open the Strait of Hormuz or face American attacks on its oil wells and power plants. He wrote, 'Great progress has been made, but if for any reason a deal is not shortly reached, we will conclude our lovely stay in Iran by blowing up and completely obliterating all of their Electric Generating Plants, Oil Wells and Kharg Island.'
Earlier, Asian stocks slumped as investors braced for a protracted conflict, with Brent crude futures jumping above $117 a barrel. The war, now in its fifth week, has pushed oil prices toward a record monthly rise, raising fears of inflation and recession globally.
According to Washington sources, US special forces are considering a highly dangerous operation to seize Iran’s uranium stockpile, which could degrade Tehran's ability to build a nuclear bomb. Trump has referred to the material as 'nuclear dust'. Iran is believed to have stockpiled hundreds of kilograms of enriched uranium before airstrikes last year.
Meanwhile, 3,500 US sailors and Marines have arrived in the region aboard the USS Tripoli. Trump has indicated he may order the seizure of Iran’s Kharg Island, which handles 90% of its oil exports, to end the blockade of the Strait of Hormuz.
