New Delhi (India) April 1:On Wednesday, Donald Trump announced that Iran requested the US to stop the war but warned that the suggestion would be taken seriously only when the Strait of Hormuz is "open, free and clear". According to Trump, the US will keep bombing Iran until the condition is fulfilled. 

Trump Claims Iran Asked for Ceasefire

It is worth noting that Trump, despite referring to "new regime president," did not mention any particular leader in Iran whom he alleges to have made a ceasefire request.
Trump said, "Iran’s New Regime President, much less Radicalized and far more intelligent than his predecessors, has just asked the United States of America for a CEASEFIRE!. We will consider when Hormuz Strait is open, free, and clear. Until then, we are blasting Iran into oblivion or, as they say, back to the Stone Ages!!!" 

Iran FM: Ready for Long War

In sharp contrast to Trump's statements, Iran's foreign minister Abbas Araghchi, came out to say that their supplies are sufficient and they are ready for a long war. When asked directly, Araghchi said Iran is well stocked and ready to defend itself for as long as necessary, thus implying that the country can sustain the conflict for at least 6 months.
He said, “You cannot speak to the people of Iran in the language of threats and deadlines. We do not set any deadline for defending ourselves.”

Direct Talks? Iran Distrusts US

Araghchi has also admitted that he was communicating directly with US Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff.
He said, "I receive messages from Witkoff directly, as before, and this does not mean that we are in negotiations. We do not have any faith that negotiations with the US will yield any results. The trust level is at zero.”

Trump Eyes NATO Exit Amid Threats

The US President had also indicated on Tuesday that the war might be ended in two to three weeks even without a deal. Secondly, Trump continued threats against the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO), saying he was "absolutely" thinking about the idea of withdrawing the US from the alliance.

Hormuz Strait: Key to 20% Global Oil

The Strait of Hormuz, a sea passage that transports nearly 20 percent of the world's oil, has become the main source of conflict as tensions go up. The drama escalated further when Iran decided to limit shipping through this route after US and Israeli air-strikes, which led to the generation of fears over the supply of energy globally and the stability of the region.