Trump Warns Iran of 'Annihilation' While Signaling Deal Could Be Close
Trump warns Iran of annihilation but says a deal may be near, as Tehran sets Hormuz reopening conditions and Gulf states discuss security.
President Donald Trump has warned Iran of "annihilation" while simultaneously indicating that a deal could be within reach, as diplomatic and military pressures converge around the Strait of Hormuz.
Tehran has set its own conditions for reopening the strategic waterway, which remains central to global oil flows. The strait has been a focal point of the conflict, and its status now appears tied to broader negotiations.
In a related move, Saudi Arabia has restarted its East-West oil pipeline, a step that could ease some pressure on energy shipments that would otherwise transit the strait. The pipeline offers an alternative route for crude exports.
Gulf states, meanwhile, are discussing a security framework, signaling regional efforts to stabilize the situation beyond the immediate Iran-US dynamic.
The mixed signals from Washington — a stark threat paired with talk of a possible agreement — leave the immediate trajectory of the conflict uncertain. Tehran's conditions for reopening Hormuz and the outcome of Gulf security talks are likely to shape what happens next.