US President Donald Trump announced on 1/4 that "the new regime president of Iran" had requested a ceasefire with the United States. He stated that any consideration of such a request would be contingent on the Strait of Hormuz being "open, free, and unobstructed."

Posting on Truth Social, Trump quoted: "The new regime president of Iran, who is less radical and much smarter than his predecessors, has just asked the US for a ceasefire! We will consider that when the Strait of Hormuz is open, free, and unobstructed." However, Trump did not specify the identity of this "new regime president" or if it referred to current President Masoud Pezeshkian. In Iran, President Pezeshkian is not the most powerful figure and likely lacks the final authority to request a ceasefire with the US. That power rests with Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei.

Trump also threatened that if the Strait of Hormuz does not reopen, the US would continue to attack Iran until the country "completely disappears or returns to the Stone Age."

Iran has not yet commented on this information. Earlier, Iranian Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei sent a message to the leader of Hezbollah, emphasizing that Tehran would continue to support the armed group in its "fight against" Israel and the US.

US President Donald Trump at the White House on 31/3. Photo: AP

Separately, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi clarified on 31/3 that while he had directly exchanged messages with US envoy Steve Witkoff, this did not constitute negotiations. Araghchi stated, "US statements about negotiating with any party in Iran are untrue. All messages are conveyed through or received by the Foreign Ministry, as are some contacts between security agencies."

Araghchi further explained that Iran would only accept an agreement to completely end regional attacks, rather than a mere ceasefire. He added that Iran no longer trusts dialogue with the US, citing past lessons where Washington unilaterally withdrew from concluded agreements.

Iranian President Pezeshkian echoed this sentiment, noting that the US does not prioritize diplomacy. He pointed to Washington's attack campaign on Tehran in February, which occurred while dialogue rounds were underway in Switzerland. Pezeshkian affirmed Iran's readiness to end hostilities, provided that parties ensure the US will not resort to military action again.

The White House announced that Trump would deliver a prime-time address to provide "important updates" on the Iran conflict at 9 PM on 1/4 (9 AM on 2/4 Hanoi time). The US President has recently signaled he is seeking an agreement with Iran.

Ngoc Anh (According to CNN, AFP, Reuters)