Donald Trump on Wednesday issued a stark warning to Iran, urging Tehran to “get smart soon” as his administration considers military options to address a prolonged standoff in the Strait of Hormuz, according to NBC News.
The warning comes amid a deepening crisis that has effectively shut down one of the world’s most critical oil transit routes for nearly two months, following the collapse of negotiations aimed at reopening the waterway.
Citing U.S. officials and sources familiar with internal discussions, NBC reported that members of Trump’s national security team presented multiple scenarios during a recent White House meeting on how to handle the ongoing blockade, including whether to increase or reduce the U.S. military presence and whether to adopt a more aggressive operational posture.
No final decision has yet been made, and it remains unclear when the president will determine the next course of action.
The impasse between Washington and Tehran has led to a sustained U.S. naval blockade in the strait, triggering significant disruption to global energy markets. Fuel prices have surged sharply, with average gasoline prices in the United States reaching $4.23 per gallon—the highest level in nearly four years—while Brent crude climbed to nearly $115 per barrel.
The economic fallout has also been felt in Iran, where the national currency has plunged to record lows against the dollar, reflecting mounting financial strain amid ongoing tensions.
Despite signs of diplomatic movement, Washington has shown limited enthusiasm for a new Iranian proposal aimed at ending hostilities and reopening the strait without addressing disputes over Tehran’s nuclear program—considered a central obstacle in stalled negotiations.
In a post published early Wednesday on Truth Social, Trump criticized Iran’s leadership, stating: “They don’t know how to sign a nonnuclear deal. They better get smart soon.” The post was accompanied by an image depicting the president with a firearm and the message “No more Mr. Nice Guy.”
It remains unclear what Trump meant by a “nonnuclear deal,” as U.S. officials have consistently maintained that any agreement must ensure Iran cannot develop nuclear weapons capabilities.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio reiterated this position, saying any future deal must “definitively prevent” Iran from rapidly advancing toward a nuclear weapon.
White House spokesperson Anna Kelly confirmed that diplomatic contacts with Iran are ongoing, despite complications stemming from recent military developments, including a joint U.S.-Israeli campaign referred to as “Operation Epic Fury.”
“The president will only enter into an agreement that puts U.S. national security first,” she said, adding that Washington remains firm in its stance that Iran must never acquire nuclear weapons.
Trump also addressed the crisis during a state dinner hosted for King Charles III, where he claimed the United States had “militarily defeated” Iran and reiterated his opposition to Tehran obtaining nuclear capabilities.
A spokesperson for the British royal household responded cautiously, noting that the king remains aligned with the United Kingdom’s longstanding position on preventing nuclear proliferation.
Meanwhile, maritime tensions in the Strait of Hormuz persist. U.S. forces continue to enforce the blockade, including boarding commercial vessels, while Iranian forces have reportedly attacked three ships and seized two in recent weeks.
Shipping traffic through the strait remains severely limited. NBC analysis indicates that only 11 vessels passed through the waterway over a 12-hour period, highlighting the scale of disruption to global trade.
However, there have been isolated signs of progress. A Japanese-owned tanker successfully transited the strait on Wednesday after entering the previous day, offering a rare indication that limited navigation remains possible under current conditions.
As diplomatic efforts stall and military options remain on the table, the standoff continues to pose significant risks to global energy markets and regional stability.
