Trump Rejects Ceasefire with Iran as Additional Marine Troops Deploy to the Middle East

US President Donald Trump has dismissed the possibility of a ceasefire agreement with Iran, as a fresh deployment of Marines to the Middle East fuels speculation about a potential ground operation, with Trump asserting that Washington is in a position of strength in the three-week-old conflict.

n

Despite Iran's effective blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, which has driven global oil prices to new heights, Trump expressed confidence in the US position, stating "I think we have won" during a press conference at the White House, where he was joined by Secretary of State Marco Rubio.

n

Trump's remarks were unequivocal, as he declared "I don't want to do a ceasefire" and emphasized that the US holds the upper hand, saying "you don't do a ceasefire when you're literally obliterating the other side".

n

A report by Axios suggesting that Trump is considering occupying or blockading Iran's Kharg Island to pressure Tehran into reopening the Strait of Hormuz was met with a non-committal response from the President, who said "I may have a plan or I may not".

n

When questioned by an AFP reporter, Trump remained tight-lipped, stating "it's certainly a place that people are talking about but I can't tell you", while the White House indicated that the US could "take out" the vital oil hub "at any time" if Trump chose to do so.

n

US forces launched strikes on Kharg Island on Friday, with Trump claiming that the attacks had "totally obliterated" all military targets, although the oil infrastructure on the island was spared.

n

The surge in oil prices has created pressure on Trump to bring a swift end to the conflict, with Republican lawmakers fearful that the economic fallout could harm the party's prospects in the November midterm elections.

n

Trump has previously stated that he does not intend to deploy ground troops to Iran, but The Wall Street Journal reports that between 2,200 and 2,500 US Marines from the USS Boxer Amphibious Ready Group and 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit are being deployed to the region.

n

The Marine Corps described the two groups as "deployed at sea", while the US 3rd Fleet said they are engaged in "routine operations", as a separate deployment of 2,500 Marines to the Middle East was reported by US media a week ago.

n

Trump lashed out at NATO allies, branding them "cowards" for failing to heed his call for assistance in securing the Strait of Hormuz, saying "So easy for them to do, with so little risk, COWARDS, and we will REMEMBER!".

n

Trump also posted on his Truth Social network, saying "Without the U.S.A., NATO IS A PAPER TIGER!", as he blamed Iran's control of the Strait of Hormuz for the current oil price spike, which has been exacerbated by the fact that around one fifth of global crude supplies pass through the waterway in peacetime.

n

Six key powers, including Britain, France, Germany, and Japan, whose premier met with Trump at the White House on Thursday, have expressed a willingness to "contribute to appropriate efforts" but have stopped short of making a firm commitment.

n

Despite having risen to power on a promise to end America's long-running wars in the Middle East, the 79-year-old Republican President insisted that the joint US-Israeli operation is proceeding "extremely well", saying "it's not even a contest".

n

Trump also stated that the US is eager to engage in dialogue with Iran, but claimed that there is "nobody to talk to" due to the killing of the country's former supreme leader and several other high-ranking officials.