A short time later, Iran launched a wave of missiles and drones across the Gulf region.

The military escalation came as President Donald Trump warned that negotiations with Tehran remained unresolved.

Inside Iran, the regime presents even symbolic contacts with major Western leaders as evidence that powerful countries are appealing to Tehran and acknowledging its importance.

According to Iran’s state broadcaster, the reply focuses on 'ending the war on all fronts, especially Lebanon.'

CENTCOM said the confrontation began with “unprovoked” Iranian attacks on U.S. Navy destroyers transiting the strait.

Riyadh informed Washington it would not allow U.S. military aircraft to operate from Prince Sultan Air Base and would also deny use of its airspace for the mission.

The agreement comes as European energy concerns have mounted in recent weeks due to disruptions linked to tensions in Hormuz, a critical global shipping route.

The pause comes as the White House believes it is close to reaching a deal with Iran.

The Islamic Republic survives by turning loyalty into a business model.

In Israel, officials signaled readiness for rapid escalation.

The warning follows President Trump’s announcement Sunday on 'Project Freedom,' a new initiative aimed at escorting neutral commercial vessels out of the Strait of Hormuz.

The fear now is that the Trump Administration is appearing to back away from its original demand of total regime change in Iran.

'They have not yet paid a big enough price for what they have done to Humanity, and the World, over the last 47 years,' Trump wrote.

Trump met Iran's moves with countermoves that were even stronger, instead of with restraint.

US President Donald Trump has claimed the regime is losing about $500 million a day as a result of the blockade.

A senior adviser to parliament speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf dismissed the move as meaningless, warning it was 'a ploy to buy time for a surprise strike.'

'The Iranian crew refused to listen, so our Navy ship stopped them right in their tracks,' Trump wrote.

Trump hinted that Tehran will give up its 60% enriched uranium, which led to sharp reactions from Iranian hardliners.

'Any Iranian who fires at us, or at peaceful vessels, will be blown to hell,' Trump warned.

A senior Iranian official said Iran would not agree to reopen the Strait of Hormuz in exchange for a temporary ceasefire.

In an address to the nation on April 1, the president said that the U.S.-Israel military campaign against Iran could conclude within two to three weeks as the 'core strategic objectives' are near completion.

'We will conclude our stay in Iran by blowing up and completely obliterating all of their electric generating plants, oil wells and Kharg Island,' Trump warned.

Thousands of Marines are being deployed to the Middle East along with heavy equipment.

'The IDF will hunt you down one by one,' Katz warned.

Iran is rejecting diplomatic efforts to identify an off-ramp and instead escalating attacks on neighboring countries.

'If Iran doesn’t FULLY OPEN, WITHOUT THREAT, the Strait of Hormuz, within 48 HOURS from this exact point in time, the United States of America will hit and obliterate their various POWER PLANTS, STARTING WITH THE BIGGEST ONE FIRST!' Trump posted.

'We no longer need, or desire, the NATO Countries’ assistance — WE NEVER DID,' Trump wrote.

Trump emphasized that the United States and Israel remain closely aligned in their broader objectives against Iran.

Trump said he hoped that China, France, Japan, South Korea, the United Kingdom and other nations 'that are affected by this artificial constraint' would send vessels

The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps first sought to close the Strait of Hormuz, mining both it and the Gulf of Oman four decades ago.

'If for any reason mines were placed and they are not removed forthwith, the military consequences to Iran will be at a level never seen before,' Trump wrote.

'Beware that you do not become the ones who disappear,' Larijani wrote.

The Iran crisis also prompted Asian governments and refiners to assess oil stockpiles and alternative shipping routes and supplies.

Gen. Hossein Salami, the deputy commander of Iran's powerful Revolutionary Guard (IRGC), said Iranian forces will close the strategic Strait of Hormuz to the United States and its allies if they "threaten" the Islamic Republic, Iranian state media reported on Wednesday.

With its eyes on finalizing a nuclear deal, the US refused to condemn Iran for its newest aggression of illegally raiding a cargo ship in the Strait of Hormuz.