U.S. President Donald Trump has claimed that Iran’s leadership is seeking a ceasefire in the ongoing conflict, even as tensions between the two sides continue to escalate sharply.

In a post on his Truth Social platform ahead of a national address, Trump said Iran’s new president — whom he described as “less radicalised” and “far more intelligent” than previous leaders — had reached out to the United States requesting a ceasefire. However, he made it clear that any such agreement would depend on developments in the strategically crucial Strait of Hormuz.

“The ceasefire will only be considered when the Strait of Hormuz is open, free, and clear,” Trump stated, underlining the importance of the waterway for global oil shipments. He also issued a stark warning, saying that until those conditions are met, the United States would continue its military campaign with overwhelming force.

In strongly worded remarks, Trump warned that Iran risked being “blasted into oblivion” or pushed “back to the Stone Age” if it failed to comply, signaling a potential escalation in military pressure.

Iran, however, has firmly rejected the U.S. narrative. Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, speaking in an interview with Al Jazeera, said Tehran has no intention of backing down and dismissed the idea of a ceasefire under current conditions.

“You cannot speak to the people of Iran in the language of threats and deadlines,” Araghchi said, adding that Iran would continue to defend itself without setting any timeline for ending the conflict.

Despite the tough rhetoric on both sides, there are indications of limited communication channels remaining open. Araghchi acknowledged receiving direct messages from U.S. Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff, though he stressed that these exchanges should not be interpreted as formal negotiations.

“We do not have any faith that negotiations with the U.S. will yield results,” he said, describing trust between the two countries as effectively nonexistent.

Araghchi also warned that Iran is prepared for any escalation, including a potential U.S. ground offensive. “We are completely ready to confront any sort of ground attack,” he said, adding that Iran’s defensive capabilities would be even more effective in such a scenario.

The conflicting positions highlight the deep divide between Washington and Tehran as the conflict intensifies. While the U.S. signals conditional openness to a ceasefire, Iran’s leadership appears determined to continue resisting, raising concerns about further escalation in an already volatile region.