Mahmoud Ahmadinejad
سپاه پاسداران انقلاب اسلامی
Trump says Iran has told him it is in a 'state of collapse'
In a post on Truth Social on Tuesday Trump said: "Iran has just informed us that they are in a 'State of Collapse'. They want us to 'Open the Hormuz Strait,' as soon as possible, as they try to figure out their leadership situation (Which I believe they will be able to do!). Thank you for your attention to this matter!".
It was not clear from Trump's social media post how Iran might have communicated that message.
Hopes of reviving peace efforts in a conflict that has killed thousands, thrown energy markets into turmoil and disrupted global trade routes, have receded since Trump last weekend scrapped a visit by his special envoy Steve Witkoff and son-in-law Jared Kushner to mediator Pakistan.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi shuttled in and out of Islamabad twice during the weekend. He also visited Oman and on Monday went to Russia, where he met President Vladimir Putin and received words of support from a longstanding ally.
Oil prices resumed their upward march, with Brent crude rising 3% to $111.40 a barrel, a three-week high. The World Bank forecast energy prices would surge by 24% in 2026.
With his approval ratings falling, Trump faces domestic pressure to end a war for which he has given the U.S. public shifting rationales.