Trump Threatens More Bombing as Iran Mulls U.S. Deal to End War

The ongoing conflict between the U.S. and Iran, now two months old, hangs by a thread as Tehran reviews a latest American proposal to end hostilities. President Donald Trump has made it clear the deal must include reopening the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz to international shipping — or else face a "new wave of bombing."

This escalation in rhetoric came after the U.S. military targeted an Iranian oil tanker attempting to breach the American blockade of Iranian ports. The fragile ceasefire, in place since early April, has largely held, but the threat of renewed violence looms large.

Trump’s approach has been marked by shifting narratives and contradictory signals. While publicly insisting that Iran wants a deal, he simultaneously warned that failure to agree would trigger military action. Secretary of State Marco Rubio’s diplomatic efforts, including talks at the Vatican, have failed to produce a breakthrough.

Iran has responded cautiously. A spokesman confirmed Tehran is still examining the U.S. proposal, which reportedly includes a moratorium on uranium enrichment, lifting some sanctions, releasing frozen Iranian funds, and reopening the strait. However, Iran has "strongly rejected" earlier versions of the U.S. terms.

Complicating matters, Iran recently created the Persian Gulf Strait Authority, a government agency asserting control over shipping in the Strait of Hormuz. This move formalizes Iran’s existing practice of vetting and taxing vessels passing through the strait’s northern waters, a tactic maritime law experts say violates international law and threatens global trade.

Meanwhile, the U.S. has not secured support from key regional ally Saudi Arabia for its strategy. A Saudi official revealed Riyadh refused to allow U.S. forces to use its bases for operations aimed at reopening the strait, signaling fractures among supposed allies.

Pakistan, which hosted failed in-person talks last month, remains engaged in quiet diplomacy, hoping for a peaceful resolution but offering no timeline.

This conflict, fueled by Trump’s aggressive brinkmanship, risks dragging the region into deeper chaos. The president’s willingness to leverage military force to force a deal underscores a disturbing pattern of using foreign conflict to distract from domestic scandals and consolidate power — a dangerous gamble with global consequences.