▲ U.S. President Donald Trump answers questions from reporters after signing an executive order in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington on March 31, 2026, in this photo released by the Associated Press. (Yonhap)

(2nd LD) Trump-Iran war

(2nd LD) Trump claims Iran's president has asked for ceasefire; Iran denies it

(ATTN: RECASTS headline; ADDS more info in para 3)

By Song Sang-ho

WASHINGTON, April 1 (Yonhap) -- U.S. President Donald Trump said Wednesday the president of Iran's "new regime" has asked the United States for a ceasefire, and Washington will consider it when the crucial Strait of Hormuz is "open, free and clear."

Trump made the remarks in a social media post, a day after he signaled a potential end to the ongoing U.S.-Israeli war against Iran "within two or three weeks" amid mounting concerns about the conflict's impact on oil prices and inflation.

Iran's Foreign Ministry spokesperson, Esmaeil Baghaei, dismissed Trump's claim about the ceasefire as "false and baseless," the Associated Press reported, citing a report on Iranian state television.

"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!" Trump wrote on Truth Social.

"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!!!" he added.

Iran's retaliatory missile and drone strikes along the Strait of Hormuz have effectively choked off the vital waterway, which is responsible for about a fifth of the world's oil supply.

As the Trump administration seeks an exit from the war, The Wall Street Journal has reported that Trump told his aides he is willing to end the war with Iran even if the strait remains largely blocked.

In a social media post Tuesday, Trump called on countries that are unable to import oil via the strait due to the Middle East conflict to either buy oil from the U.S. or "go to the strait and just take it," as he voiced displeasure over their reluctance to aid the U.S. in the war with Iran.

Trump plans to deliver an address to the nation later Wednesday to outline his administration's plans regarding the war.

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