“Nato nations have done absolutely nothing to assist with the so-called “lunatic nation”, now militarily decimated, of Iran. The USA needs nothing from Nato, but “never forget” this very important moment in time,” Trump wrote.On the ground, the conflict shows little sign of easing. Iran has moved to tighten its grip over the Strait of Hormuz, a vital artery through which roughly a fifth of global oil and gas flows. Reports indicate Tehran is effectively operating the passage as a controlled corridor, restricting vessels it deems hostile while allowing limited traffic under strict conditions. Gulf officials have accused Iran of charging fees for safe passage, with some ships reportedly paying in Chinese yuan.Meanwhile, Israel has intensified its military campaign. Defence officials said a recent strike killed Alireza Tangsiri, the Revolutionary Guard naval commander closely linked to operations in the strait. Iran has not formally confirmed the death. Air raid sirens have continued to sound across Israeli cities, while missile interceptions in the Gulf have caused casualties, including in Abu Dhabi.The United States is also reinforcing its military posture. A strike group led by the amphibious assault ship USS Tripoli is moving closer to the region, accompanied by thousands of Marines and paratroopers. While officials have not confirmed imminent ground action, the deployments signal readiness for a broader intervention if required. US Central Command has claimed significant degradation of Iran’s military capabilities, saying thousands of targets have been hit since the conflict began.Despite Trump’s insistence that Iran “wants to make a deal so badly”, Tehran has publicly rejected the idea that negotiations are underway. Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said there are no talks planned, dismissing indirect messages from Washington as insufficient for formal dialogue.