12/06/2026
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12/06/2026
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TEHRAN, Jun 12: Iranian officials have warned of possible escalation around the Strait of Hormuz as US President Donald Trump said a deal with Tehran was “close,” following a volatile period of threats, reported strike preparations and intensified diplomatic mediation.
Trump said hours after threatening to hit Iran “very hard” that negotiations were advancing toward what he described as a “great deal,” even as reports suggested US military strikes had been under consideration before being called off.
According to reports by Axios, Politico and other outlets, the emerging framework under discussion would reopen the Strait of Hormuz without tolls, ease certain US restrictions, extend a ceasefire for 60 days including in Lebanon, and defer detailed nuclear negotiations to a second phase. The agreement has not been formally signed, with Axios reporting it still requires final approval, while Iran has said no final decision has been made.
Iranian officials responded with a mix of warnings and defiance. Military and political leaders cautioned that any attacks on energy infrastructure could destabilize global markets and warned of broader regional consequences if tensions escalate further.
Ali Abdollahi, commander of Iran’s Khatam al-Anbiya Central Headquarters, said any disruption to Iranian oil exports would have global repercussions, while Parliament Speaker Mohammad-Bagher Ghalibaf warned that “wrong strategies and impulsive decisions” could trigger widespread instability.
Iranian-linked commentators and media outlets also dismissed US threats as exaggerated, while stressing that Tehran retains leverage over key maritime routes, including the Strait of Hormuz.
Analysts remain divided over whether the developments signal a path toward a diplomatic breakthrough or a continuation of coercive pressure tactics, with some suggesting military moves are aimed at strengthening negotiating positions rather than triggering full-scale conflict.
The situation remains fluid as both sides continue to signal readiness for both escalation and negotiation.
