Trump warns Iran 'better get smart soon' as he weighs military options over Strait of Hormuz

Key Points:

• President Donald Trump warned Iran to "get smart soon" amid stalled peace talks and weighed military options regarding the ongoing U.S. naval blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, a critical trade route blocked for two months.
• The blockade has caused global economic disruption, pushing U.S. gas prices to $4.23 per gallon and Brent crude oil prices to $115 per barrel, while Iran's currency hit a record low, reflecting economic strain.
• U.S. officials discussed increasing or decreasing military presence and aggression in the strait, but Trump has not yet made a decision; meanwhile, talks with energy executives focused on maintaining the blockade with minimal impact on U.S. consumers.
• The U.S. rejected Iran’s proposal to end the conflict without resolving nuclear program issues, emphasizing that any agreement must prevent Iran from developing nuclear weapons, a stance reiterated by Trump during a state dinner with Britain's King Charles III.
• Despite the tensions, some commercial traffic resumed with the Japanese-owned Idemitsu Maru tanker successfully transiting the strait, although the overall maritime movement remains largely halted amid ongoing U.S.-Iran confrontations.