‘Back to the Stone Ages’: Trump issues dire threat to Iran while claiming truce request from Tehran

Washington: US President Donald Trump asserted on Wednesday that Iran’s leadership has requested a ceasefire, making the claim on social media just hours before a scheduled televised address to the American public.

Writing on his Truth Social platform, the president referred to a request from "Iran’s New Regime President."

Trump stipulated that any cessation of military activity is contingent upon the status of the world’s most vital energy corridor. He stated that a truce would only be considered once the Strait of Hormuz is "open, free, clear."

Escalating Rhetoric

The president paired his claim of a diplomatic overture with a severe warning of continued military escalation.

“Until then, we are blasting Iran into oblivion or, as they say, back to the Stone Ages!!!” Trump wrote.

The White House did not provide further clarification on which Iranian official the president was referencing, and Tehran did not issue an immediate response to the social media post.

Tehran’s Stance

The claim of a ceasefire request stands in contrast to recent statements from high-ranking Iranian officials. In an interview with Al Jazeera that aired late Tuesday, Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi signalled that Iran is prepared for a prolonged conflict.

Araghchi dismissed the various ultimatums issued by the Trump administration over the past week, including threats to strike Iran's power plants and oil infrastructure if the blockade of the Strait is not lifted.

“You cannot speak to the people of Iran in the language of threats and deadlines,” Araghchi said. “We do not set any deadline for defending ourselves.”

With inputs from AP