Trump broadcasts Iran's 'collapse' to the world as Tehran begs to reopen Hormuz WASHINGTON, DC: President Donald J Trump on Tuesday, April 28, claimed that Iran has informed the United States that it is in a “state of collapse,” signaling mounting pressure on Tehran as the 57-day war continues. In a Truth Social post, Trump said Iranian officials are seeking to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, a key global oil chokepoint, amid ongoing economic and political strain. April 28, 2026 The conflict, which began on February 28 with US and Israeli airstrikes, has been followed by a US naval blockade targeting Iranian ports. The blockade has been estimated to cut off up to $500 million in daily revenue tied to oil exports. “Iran has just informed us that they are in a ‘State of Collapse’. They want us to ‘Open the Hormuz Strait’, as soon as possible,” Trump wrote. Tehran pleads for Hormuz shipping reset The reported request to reopen the Strait comes as Iranian leadership faces internal challenges. Trump referenced a “leadership situation” in Tehran, though details remain unclear. He also said the request reflects financial strain linked to restricted exports. Shipping data from Kpler shows reduced activity through the Strait, with traffic levels remaining significantly below normal. Despite these indicators, Iranian state-linked outlets have previously downplayed the impact of the blockade. Regional mediators, including officials in Pakistan and Oman, continue efforts to facilitate dialogue between the two sides. Financial ruin triggers internal leadership crisis Economic conditions inside Iran have tightened amid the blockade. Reports indicate disruptions in state finances, with inflation nearing 60% and concerns raised over delayed payments to military and security personnel. Trump has repeatedly referenced these conditions in public remarks, including social media posts highlighting economic stress. Analysts say internal divisions could complicate Iran’s ability to respond cohesively to external demands, particularly on nuclear negotiations. Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has been engaged in diplomatic outreach, including meetings in St Petersburg with Russian President Vladimir Putin. However, differences within Iran’s leadership structure have been cited as a factor slowing progress toward a unified negotiating position. Global markets react to potential reopening Energy markets have reacted sharply to developments in the Strait of Hormuz, with Brent crude prices rising approximately 50% since the conflict began. The waterway accounts for about 20% of global oil and liquefied natural gas shipments, making its status central to global supply stability. While the possibility of reopening the Strait has drawn attention, US officials have indicated that the naval blockade will remain in place pending a broader agreement, particularly on Iran’s nuclear program. Trump said Iran can initiate further discussions, adding that the United States retains leverage in ongoing negotiations.
Trump broadcasts Iran's 'collapse' to the world as Tehran begs to reopen Hormuz WASHINGTON, DC: President Donald J Trump on Tuesday, April 28, claimed that Iran has informed the United States that it is in a “state of collapse,” signaling mounting pressure on Tehran as the 57-day…
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A tanker identified as the Kaifan was struck by an unknown projectile northeast of Oman’s Limah in the Strait of Hormuz, according to a July 21 report from UK Maritime Trade Operations. No ships were observed transiting the strait that day. Attribution of the strike and links to prior incidents have not been confirmed by the vessel’s owner.
Goldman Sachs has projected Brent crude averaging $80 per barrel in the fourth quarter and $75 in the following year, conditional on reduced Middle East tensions, while noting upside risks from potential shipping disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz or Red Sea.
Brent prices rose above $91 per barrel amid recent U.S.-Iran exchanges and Houthi threats to Saudi shipments before edging lower on Tuesday. A senior Iranian official told Reuters that mediators had proposed a 10-day ceasefire to preserve an interim agreement.
Opening summary: Iran claims attacks on strait of Hormuz ships amid fresh US strikes Welcome to our live coverage of the latest developments in the Middle East crisis. Iran attacked a tanker in the strait of Hormuz early on Tuesday, forcing its crew to abandon the ship, as Yemen’s Iran-backed Houthis announced they were imposing an immediate maritime blockade of Saudi Arabia in the Red Sea after the two sides traded fire last week for the first time in years.
A Houthi official said the Bab al-Mandeb strait – at the southern end of the Red Sea, through which about 12% of the world’s trade usually passes – would be closed to the Saudis in response to the kingdom’s “unjust blockade on Yemenis for over 10 years”.
Saudi Arabia said it would take “all necessary measures to protect its vessels in accordance with international law”. A 10 consecutive night of US airstrikes has not compelled Tehran to loosen its grip on the strait of Hormuz, a vital route for global energy supplies.
But even as Iran’s president said the country had returned “full-scale war”, the Iranian interior minister travelled to Pakistan – a key mediator in the conflict – for talks. In key developments: The latest US strikes came hours after Donald Trump said Iran would pay “many times over” for killing US soldiers after multiple service members were killed in action over the weekend.
A tanker came under attack early Tuesday in the Hormuz strait off Oman, forcing the crew to abandon the vessel, the British military’s United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations centre said. Iran’s Revolutionary Guards claimed the attack as well as two other attacks on ships in the waterway on Monday.
The US military’s Central Command said its latest airstrikes were to “degrade” Iran’s ability to attack commercial shipping in the strait and included hitting military command centres and missile and drone launch sites. Iranian media reported strikes in parts of the country including Bandar Abbas, Tabriz and Bushehr, home to the country’s only operational civilian nuclear power.
Iran’s launched attacks in response against Bahrain, Kuwait and Jordan, which all host US forces. Oil prices softened after hitting their highest levels in more than a month in the previous session. Brent crude futures eased 0.4% to $88.87 a barrel by 0052 GMT on Tuesday while US West Texas Intermediate crude for September delivery was steady at $82.
47 a barrel. Democrats have seized on the deaths of three US troops killed in Iranian strikes to urge Trump to urgently reverse his resumption of the war with Iran amid widespread anxiety over climbing casualties. The Lebanese army began taking charge of security in three southern villages, the US said, as a deal to secure an Israeli withdrawal from southern Lebanon and the disarmament of Hezbollah faced its first test on the ground.
US forces struck the tanker Settebello in the Gulf of Oman on June 10, killing three Indian crew members when munitions hit the engine room and adjacent areas. Maritime tracking data indicate the vessel had transported Iranian oil under US sanctions for several years and conducted offshore transfers prior to the strike.
The US military described the action as a precision operation, while reports note the ship was stationary at the time.