Trump calls Hormuz blockade ‘genius’, says no deal without nukes; US-Iran talks now telephonic

President Trump hailed the US naval blockade against Iran as "genius," asserting it forces Tehran's concession and ruling out any deal without abandoning nuclear ambitions. US Central Command confirmed the blockade's disruption of Iran's oil trade. Iran reportedly proposed a conditional ceasefire in the Strait of Hormuz, which Washington is reviewing.