An Iranian proposal so far rejected by U.S. President Donald Trump would open shipping in the Strait of Hormuz and end the ​U.S. blockade of Iran while leaving talks on Iran's nuclear program for later, a senior Iranian official said on Saturday.

U.S. Vice President JD Vance said Washington will ensure that Iran does not obtain a nuclear weapon, stressing that diplomacy is the preferred path but warning that other options remain available.

US President Donald Trump said on Friday that Washington has been in contact with Iran, adding that Tehran does not want to engage with European countries.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov has dismissed media reports suggesting the United States may use tactical nuclear weapons against Iran as mere speculation.

Editor's note: Moses Becker is a special commentator on political issues for News.Az, a PhD in political science and an expert on interethnic and interreligious relations. The article expresses the personal opinion of the author and may not coincide with the view of News.Az.

U.S. President Donald Trump stated that he seeks a “verified nuclear peace agreement” with Iran, a day after signing a presidential memorandum reinstating the "maximum pressure" campaign against the country.

By Tural Heybatov

In a dramatic and controversial move, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy recently suggested that Ukraine might consider reviving its nuclear weapons program if NATO membership remains elusive. This declaration, made during an EU summit and reiterated in a subsequent conversation with incoming U.S. President Donald Trump, underscores Kyiv’s frustration with NATO’s reluctance and its quest for robust security guarantees. However, the implications of such a step are far-reaching, potentially reshaping global nuclear politics and escalating already heightened tensions.

The United Nations has raised alarm over the unprecedented pressure on the global nuclear non-proliferation regime, as significant countries openly debate the development of atomic weapons.