Donald Trump shared an image of himself holding a gun alongside the caption “no more Mr Nice Guy,” with an edited backdrop showing explosions in an Iranian landscape. The post came just one day after he claimed that King Charles III agreed with his stance that Iran should never possess nuclear weapons.

The development follows reports that Iran proposed reopening the Strait of Hormuz in exchange for the United States ending its blockade and halting the ongoing conflict, while delaying discussions over Tehran’s nuclear programme. The strategic waterway is vital to global trade, with roughly one-fifth of the world’s oil and gas shipments passing through it during peacetime.

Trump’s latest remarks appear to reject the proposal, which was reportedly conveyed to the Americans through Pakistan. The unresolved tensions surrounding Iran’s nuclear ambitions were among the issues that triggered the February 28 conflict involving the US and Israel.

The American blockade aims to weaken Iran economically by limiting its oil exports and cutting off a major source of revenue. Analysts say the restrictions could eventually force Tehran to reduce oil production due to storage shortages.

The shutdown of the Strait of Hormuz has also intensified pressure on Trump as fuel and oil prices continue to rise ahead of key midterm elections. Gulf nations that rely on the route for exports have also been affected, while the wider global economy has seen increased prices for fertiliser, food, and other essential goods.

Meanwhile, cyber tensions have escalated after the Handala Hack Team claimed responsibility for leaking the personal information of 2,379 US Marines stationed in the Gulf region. The group, allegedly connected to Iran’s Ministry of Intelligence, said the release was meant to demonstrate what it described as its extensive surveillance capabilities.

Iran-linked groups have continued issuing threats against US military personnel in the Middle East as tensions between both countries remain high.

AB