• Iran offers to restore Hormuz security if US accepts its demands
• Tehran signals readiness for negotiations, Trump threatens renewed strikes
• Reported tanker fire raises fresh maritime security concerns
Iran has said security in the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz could be restored and negotiations with Washington could begin within a short period if the United States accepts its demands, signalling a possible diplomatic opening amid escalating military tensions.
Tehran’s statement comes as US President Donald Trump warned that the war with Iran would end “very soon, one way or the other”, insisting that Iran must either reach an agreement or face renewed military action. Trump warned that “the hammer” would come down if Tehran failed to agree to a deal.
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has reiterated that his government prefers dialogue to resolve the crisis but will not surrender in the face of US threats. He said Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei had granted the government certain powers concerning peace negotiations, according to Iranian state media.
Speaking at a meeting with governors and mayors of major cities, Pezeshkian said Tehran would seek to resolve the dispute through dialogue while strengthening public resilience against external pressure. He called for national unity and cooperation to overcome what he described as challenges and crises created by Iran’s adversaries.
However, fresh maritime security concerns emerged after Iran’s navy reported that an oil tanker caught fire after striking a sea mine in a restricted area east of the Strait of Hormuz. The navy described the area as unsafe and warned commercial vessels against entering the strait without prior coordination.
According to the Iranian navy, the tanker had switched off its navigation identification systems before the incident. It cautioned shipping operators that unauthorized passage through restricted waters could expose vessels to naval mines, collisions and fires. The report adds to concerns over the safety of commercial shipping through one of the world’s most important energy corridors.
Meanwhile, the possibility of renewed US military action has alarmed Gulf countries, whose security infrastructure could become vulnerable in any further confrontation. Previous Iranian missile and drone attacks on US military installations and Gulf energy facilities exposed the risks posed by the extensive American military presence in the region.
The security implications dominated discussions at the annual Manama Dialogue conference in Bahrain over the weekend. Reuters, citing four unnamed European officials, reported that Washington had assembled sufficient military forces and equipment in the region to launch an attack on Iran at short notice, potentially as early as this week.
A fifth European official, who maintains close contacts with Gulf leaders, warned that another war could be imminent, adding that nobody favored such a confrontation.
The latest developments highlight the widening gap between diplomatic efforts and military preparations. While Tehran has indicated that it is prepared to negotiate and restore maritime security if Washington accepts its conditions, Trump’s ultimatum and the reported US military build-up have heightened fears of another escalation across the region.
