Cease-fire Trump wants must begin with Iran

Key Points:

• President Trump is open to peace talks with Iran but insists that negotiations must begin with a cease-fire initiated by Tehran, placing the responsibility on Iran's leadership.
• Internal divisions in Iran, particularly between the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) and civilian leaders, complicate peace efforts, with the IRGC continuing military actions and asserting control over the Strait of Hormuz.
• The US has responded to Iranian attacks, including strikes on a US base in Jordan, with heavy military retaliation targeting Iranian military and proxy sites, signaling a readiness to escalate if attacks continue.
• Despite ongoing technical and diplomatic talks aimed at a revised Memorandum of Understanding, the US demands the Strait of Hormuz remain free of tolls, opposing Iran and Oman's plans to charge fees for passage.
• The IRGC has vowed to retaliate against aggressors and allies of the US, maintaining a hardline stance, while President Trump has publicly threatened severe military consequences if Iran persists in hostile actions.