After the first wave, Tehran's top negotiator Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf issued a statement declaring that Iranian security depended on maintaining what he called "Iranian arrangements" in the strait.
"We are in an essential and existential war with America," Qalibaf said.
The war has killed thousands of people and displaced millions, mainly in Iran and Lebanon, where conflict restarted between Israel and Iran-backed militant group Hezbollah. In July alone, U.S. attacks have killed 35 people, Tasnim reported, citing a health ministry official.
Trump struck a triumphant note, as he has repeatedly since the U.S. and Israel started hostilities on February 28, saying, "We'll have Iran defeated soon. They'll be defeated very soon."
Speaking at a roundtable event at the Pennsylvania Defense and Innovation Summit, Trump also claimed the Iranians want to "settle so badly."
"They don't like what we're doing, and they do want to settle. We'll find out whether or not we settle with them, or we just finish it off," Trump said.
On Tuesday, Trump said U.S. negotiators had been in touch with their Iranian counterparts to tell them "you better make a deal."
Iran's military spokesperson said that the only way to reopen the Strait of Hormuz was for the U.S. to comply with the 14-point memorandum of understanding that the two sides signed in June, and the implementation of "Iranian regulations" regarding ship traffic in the strait.
Even amid the hostilities, there was a possible sign of goodwill. Trump said Iran had allowed an American who was "wrongfully detained" under the Biden administration in 2024 to leave the country.
"The United States of America appreciates this gesture of Goodwill by Iran," Trump wrote on Truth Social.
Human rights attorney Jared Genser identified the released American as Dena Karari, who had been prevented from leaving Iran since December 2024.
"Dena is now safe and traveling back to the United States," Genser wrote on X, thanking Trump for his efforts to free her.
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