Trump says Iran in ‘humanitarian crisis of epic proportions’ that ‘must be stopped’

US President Donald Trump on Tuesday lamented what he called a “humanitarian crisis” in Iran, saying it “must be stopped,” as he accused the Tehran regime of killing protesters and failing to pay its armed forces.

“The failing Islamic Republic of Iran is not paying large segments of their military, while at the same time killing protesters, even when they are not protesting, at levels not seen before,” he wrote on Truth Social.

It was unclear whether he was referring to the killing of thousands of protesters in January, or to new, unreported ones. He may also have been referring to executions that Iran has been steadily carrying out of some individuals arrested during the protests.

“It is a humanitarian crisis of epic proportions, and must be stopped,” Trump added in the social media post, which was published shortly after 7 a.m. local time.

Later, he declared — for the second time in a week — that all mines in the Strait of Hormuz have been detonated or removed.

“I have just been informed by the United States Navy that all mines have been removed and/or detonated from within the International Waters of the Strait of Hormuz,” Trump wrote on Truth Social.

While Trump’s post suggested that this was a new development, he made a nearly identical claim on August 18.

“The Hormuz Strait is open and operating. All water mines have been removed or detonated,” he wrote at the time.

Trump has made a number of contradictory claims regarding whether or not mines were ever planted in the first place in the strait, a key waterway for the global supply of oil.

In his latest post, Trump wrote: “Iran has been notified that any ship or boat placing new mines will be immediately and systematically destroyed. Through space force, we are watching every square inch of the strait, as we are, also, with Pickaxe Mountain and the already destroyed three other nuclear sites.”

“There is a Zero Tolerance policy on mine placement in full force and effect,” he added.

Regardless, an oil tanker was struck and disabled overnight Monday-Tuesday by an unidentified projectile about 9 nautical miles (17 km) northeast of Oman’s Ash Shishah, at the entrance to the Strait of Hormuz, the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations said.

Oman’s foreign minister arrived in Iran on Tuesday to discuss future arrangements for the strait.

Iran expressed openness to new talks, Pakistan says

Tehran expressed a general willingness to resume peace talks during meetings between Iranian and Pakistani officials on Monday, at the same time that it expressed concern about new US sanctions, according to a Pakistani government source.

Abbas Golroo, head of the foreign relations committee in the Iranian parliament, said Pakistan’s army chief Asim Munir had delivered a message from the US to Iran on Monday.

“It seems the main goal was to revive the stopped political process,” he told ISNA news agency. There was no immediate comment from the White House or the US State Department.

An official at the Iranian president’s office, Mehdi Tabatabaei, wrote that Munir’s visit to Iran “yielded highly valuable diplomatic achievements, the results of which will soon be revealed.”

Traders brush off impact of new US sanctions package

Oil prices fell for a second day as traders brushed off the impact of the softer-than-feared sanctions package announced on Monday by the US.

European shares edged higher and gains in defense stocks boosted sentiment, though market participants remained wary of Iran’s continued ability to disrupt shipping.

Iran has pledged to fight back against the sanctions, which are aimed at isolating its economy.

Though US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said Monday that countries that continue trading with Iran risk being forced out of the dollar-based financial system, he declined to give a timeline or identify which may be targeted, saying he would give them time to comply with the new directive.

China has been the biggest buyer of Iranian oil for several years, although the US blockade of Iran’s ports has cut Iranian oil flows to China since Washington renewed it in mid-July.

Beijing said on Tuesday that its cooperation with Iran is conducted within the framework of international law and should not be interfered with or disrupted.

Trump has said he expects to host Chinese President Xi Jinping next month; Washington is keen to avoid any curbs on China’s exports of critical minerals.