U.S. President Donald Trump claimed on Wednesday that Iran’s president had requested a ceasefire in the ongoing conflict in the Middle East, a statement that was promptly refuted by Tehran. Trump made the assertion on his social media platform, suggesting that the “New Regime President of Iran” had reached out to the United States for a ceasefire. However, Iran’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson denounced Trump’s statement as “false and baseless.”

In response to Trump’s claim, Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi of Iran indicated the country’s readiness to continue the fight. Trump, who is scheduled to speak to the American public from the White House later in the evening, did not provide further details on the matter.

Earlier, Trump had announced a deadline for Iran to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, a critical waterway that Iran had largely obstructed, disrupting global energy markets. He had threatened to launch military strikes against Iran if the strait remained closed, emphasizing that the U.S. would only consider a ceasefire once the strait was open and operational.

The conflict in the region has resulted in significant casualties, with at least 13 American soldiers killed and an estimated 3,500 Iranian fatalities reported by the Human Rights Activists News Agency. Additionally, approximately 180,000 Iranian families have been displaced due to the ongoing hostilities, according to the International Organization for Migration (IOM).

The IOM’s director general, Amy Pope, expressed concerns about the escalating humanitarian crisis, predicting a rise in the number of displaced individuals as civilian infrastructure continues to be impacted by the conflict. Pope highlighted the vulnerability of migrant workers in Iran, warning that they may not have access to the necessary support and protection amid the escalating violence.