U.S. Issues One-Day Deadline to Iran as Maritime Traffic Plummets

The conflict between the United States and Iran has intensified following President Donald Trump’s declaration that a previous ceasefire is officially over. The U.S. has issued a one-day ultimatum demanding that Tehran publicly acknowledge the Strait of Hormuz will remain open to all international shipping without tolls. This demand follows private admissions from Iranian officials to Trump advisers that recent attacks on commercial vessels were "errant" mistakes made by a hardline sect rather than state policy. On the military front, President Trump has signaled a high state of readiness, claiming 1,000 missiles are "locked and loaded" in response to alleged threats against his life. Global energy markets are under significant strain as maritime traffic in the Strait of Hormuz has dropped to roughly 14% of its normal capacity. Only 15 ships have crossed the vital waterway in the last 24 hours, down from a pre-conflict average of 110, as GPS spoofing continues to disrupt safe navigation. Despite the collapse of the ceasefire and recent U.S. strikes on 170 targets, a dual-track strategy remains in play. Technical talks involving mediators from Qatar and Pakistan are set to begin in Oman this Saturday. These discussions will focus on strait lane disputes and nuclear concerns, even as Iran warns it will target any U.S. Navy ships that enter the Strait within 30 minutes of their arrival.