Trump claims Iran is in a 'State of Collapse' and wants the Strait of Hormuz reopened

Donald Trump dropped a bombshell on Truth Social Tuesday, claiming that Iran has informed the United States it is in a "state of collapse" and is requesting the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz as a matter of urgency.

"Iran has just informed us that they are in a 'State of Collapse.' They want us to 'Open the Hormuz Strait,' as soon as possible, as they try to figure out their leadership situation (Which I believe they will be able to do!)," Trump wrote.

The post suggests that back-channel or direct communications between Washington and Tehran are ongoing, despite the fragile ceasefire that has been in place since 7 April. It also implies that Iran's effective blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, which has sent global energy prices surging and threatened jet fuel supplies in Europe, may be reaching its limits from Tehran's own perspective.

The reference to Iran's "leadership situation" points to the turbulence following the death of Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei on 26 March, killed in a joint US-Israeli offensive. His son Mojtaba Khamenei has been named as successor, but the transition of power in the Islamic Republic remains far from settled.

If accurate, Trump's claim would represent a significant moment in the conflict,  an admission by Tehran that the combined weight of military strikes, economic sanctions and the leadership vacuum is taking a devastating toll. Iran has not publicly confirmed any such communication.

The Strait of Hormuz, through which roughly 20% of global oil trade passes, has been effectively closed since early April, sending shockwaves through energy markets worldwide.