Swapna Kumbar , Bengaluru - President Donald Trump stated the US could restart military strikes on Iran "if they misbehave," signaling readiness to escalate amid fragile ceasefire holding in the Strait of Hormuz. Responding to Iran's latest peace proposal, Trump noted: “They told me about the concept of the deal. They’re going to give me the exact wording now,” keeping options open but tying action to Tehran's compliance.

Trump's comments came during a White House briefing as he reviews Iran's "Hormuz first" counteroffer prioritizing strait reopening before nuclear curbs which US officials view skeptically, per Secretary of State Marco Rubio's Fox News remarks calling Tehran "skilled negotiators." This follows Trump's prior ultimatums, including threats to "annihilate" Iran's military and nuclear sites unless enrichment halts, with Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth warning of "blockade and bombs" on infrastructure if talks fail. The backdrop includes US redirection of 48 vessels enforcing Iranian port blockades, Iran's Hormuz closure threats, and mutual truce violation claims after eight weeks of strikes depleted Tehran's missiles. Trump, who initiated February airstrikes claiming an imminent Iranian bomb (disputed by UN watchdogs), demands permanent nuclear blocks plus proxy cutoffs, rejecting five year suspensions while Iran seeks sanctions relief first. Recent Islamabad mediation stalled, with Pakistan voicing concerns over naval near collisions.

Trump's strike threat and deal wording wait expose high stakes brinkmanship, where US leverage from Hormuz chokepoint clashes with Iran's retaliation vows via proxies and "painful strikes." As global oil hits $105/bbl from disruptions like India's rare Sarv Shakti transit diplomacy's narrow window risks summer war unless exact terms bridge the nuclear-strait divide.