Trump Responds to Iran’s Ceasefire Request
On Wednesday, President Donald Trump took to Truth Social to announce that Iran’s president, Masoud Pezeshkian, has reached out to the U.S. with a request for a ceasefire.
“Iran’s New Regime President, significantly less radicalized and more intelligent than his predecessors, has just asked the United States of America for a CEASEFIRE!” Trump stated. He added, “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!!!”
This statement builds on earlier remarks from Trump, where he noted that a formal deal with Iran isn’t necessarily required for a U.S. withdrawal, suggesting a resolution could be in sight within a few weeks.
“No, they don’t have to make a deal with me. When we feel that they are, for a long period of time, put into the Stone Ages, and they won’t be able to come up with a nuclear weapon, then we’ll leave–whether we have a deal or not,” Trump explained.
He expressed that the new Iranian leadership appears more open to negotiations.
Pezeshkian reportedly indicated that Iran has the “necessary will” to conclude the ongoing conflict, although he emphasized the need for “guarantees” to avoid further aggression.
The Chosun Daily, a South Korean newspaper, reported that during a phone call with António Costa, President of the European Council, Pezeshkian asserted, “If there is a definite guarantee that attacks by the U.S. and Israel will not recur, we are prepared to end the war.” This report was attributed to Iranian state media, Press TV.
“According to Iran’s Press TV, President Pezeshkian made these remarks during his phone conversation on the 31st, stressing, ‘The only solution to normalize the current situation is for the aggressors to halt military actions.’ He mentioned that Iran has always respected the sovereignty of neighboring countries and has never aimed to attack them, noting that strikes on U.S. military bases in those areas were a regrettable necessity,” the article continued.
Trump’s use of the term “new regime president” reflects a belief in a significant shift within Iran following recent changes in its leadership.
Pezeshkian has been president since 2024, but the notable transformation in Iranian leadership occurred on March 8, when Mojtaba Khamenei became the Supreme Leader, succeeding his father, Ali Khamenei. In Iran’s political hierarchy, the president manages the government, while the Supreme Leader holds the highest authority over critical sectors including the military, foreign affairs, and the judiciary.
Even though Pezeshkian has been in office for almost two years, the recent supreme leadership transition has uncovered indications that the regime may be willing to negotiate or de-escalate tensions for its own sustainability.
Looking ahead, Trump is scheduled to address the nation later on Wednesday, with White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt stating that he will provide an “important” update on the situation with Iran.
