Iran Stays Silent Despite Trump’s Prediction of Imminent Reply as US Pressure Mounts

Talks between the US and Iran on ending the war are continuing, but Tehran has yet to issue an official response to Washington’s proposal, fueling market speculation that the negotiations could be prolonged.

On May 10, President Donald Trump posted a series of apparently AI-generated images on Truth Social showing Iranian warships and drones being destroyed. The posts were seen in the market as a sign that Washington is raising military pressure even as negotiations continue.

A day earlier, Trump said a response from Iran would come "very soon." But as of May 10, neither side had released an official statement. Despite recent armed clashes near the Strait of Hormuz, both countries have maintained that the ceasefire remains in place.

The US and Iran are considering a plan to first declare the war over and then hold an additional 30 days of talks on reopening the Strait of Hormuz, limiting Iran’s nuclear program and lifting sanctions on Tehran.

Trump also said in an interview with French broadcaster LCI that "you’ll be hearing news very soon." Iran’s Foreign Ministry, by contrast, has stuck to its previous position that it is reviewing the US proposal.

In the market, some view Iran’s silence as an attempt to gain leverage by dragging out the talks. Trump has repeatedly emphasized expectations for progress ahead of the US-China summit scheduled for May 14-15, while Iran has less incentive to rush concessions with the ceasefire already holding.

Separately, US Central Command said a maritime blockade operation against Iran that began last month had forced 58 commercial vessels to turn back and disabled four others.