Donald Trump has issued a fresh warning to Iran, saying "the clock is ticking" for Tehran to reach a peace deal with Washington, even as he ruled out the use of nuclear weapons in the ongoing conflict.
'Clock is ticking' warning
Speaking to reporters at the White House, Trump signalled urgency around negotiations while emphasising that the US would not escalate to nuclear warfare.
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"Why would I use a nuclear weapon? We've totally, in a very conventional way, decimated them without it," he said, per NDTV. "No, I wouldn't use it. A nuclear weapon should never be allowed to be used by anybody."
At the same time, he ordered the US Navy to take strict action in the Strait of Hormuz, directing forces to target any Iranian boats laying mines in the key shipping route.
Blasts reported in Tehran
The warning came as Iranian media reported explosions over Tehran: the first such incident since a fragile ceasefire came into effect two weeks ago. The cause of the blasts remains unclear. Israeli sources told AFP that Israel was not conducting strikes at the time.
Tensions shift to Hormuz
Focus has now turned to the Strait of Hormuz, a crucial global energy corridor through which a significant share of oil and liquefied natural gas supplies pass. Prospective peace talks between the US and Iran, expected to be held in Pakistan, remain uncertain with no clear diplomatic breakthrough.
Iran has effectively shut the strait in response to the conflict, intensifying the standoff and raising global concerns over supply disruptions.
US ramps up military presence
The US has increased its military footprint in the region, with the USS George HW Bush joining two other American aircraft carriers already deployed in nearby waters, according to US Central Command.
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In a further escalation, US forces recently boarded a vessel in the Indian Ocean suspected of carrying Iranian oil, while Tehran indicated it had begun earning from tolls imposed on shipping through the strait.
The developments underline the fragile situation in the region as tensions continue without a clear path to resolution.
