Bagher Ghalibaf, or whoever’s assigned to write his social media messages this week, said Tuesday that “a new equation of the Strait of Hormuz is in the process of being solidified.”

He didn’t offer much in the way of specifics, but accused Donald Trump of jeopardizing “the security of shipping and energy transit” on Monday, when the US Navy conducted a series of operations (for lack of a better word) in the contested waterway. Half a dozen IRGC speedboats were destroyed in the process, according to the Pentagon.

“Their evil will diminish,” Ghalibaf’s social media account went on. “The continuation of the status quo is intolerable for America; while we have not even begun yet.”

That stilted prose, we’re expected to believe, comes from the same person who, two weeks ago, wrote in pitch-perfect English-language trader lingo about “vibe-trading” in oil futures.

The New York Times is still referring to Ghalibaf as Iran’s chief negotiator, even as he didn’t accompany Abbas Araghchi on a three-stop diplomatic junket late last month. Frankly, I don’t know what Ghalibaf’s standing or role is now.

In addition to the live-fire exchange between the US Navy and IRGC coastal forces, Monday’s theatrics also included attacks on the UAE. The ceasefire appeared to resume on Tuesday, however tentatively, even as Tehran mocked Trump, lampooning his “humanitarian” escort service as “Project Deadlock.”

In his own social media message, Araghchi said this week’s events prove “there’s no military solution to a political crisis.” Trump should “be wary of being dragged back into quagmire by ill-wishers,” he said. “So should the UAE.”

Meanwhile, if you like Basrah Medium — I prefer Veranda Blend myself — Iraq’s advertising big savings. According to a SOMO notice dated May 3, Baghdad’s offering discounts as large as $33.40 a barrel for May-loading term buyers. The only catch: You gotta drive a tanker through the Strait to collect your crude.

Speaking Monday afternoon on the sidelines of a Milken Institute event, Chevron boss Mike Wirth told Bloomberg he’s in touch with the company’s personnel who conduct Mideast maritime logistics. Those folks “remain concerned about security,” he said. “It seems like we still have some issues to work through.”

A few hours later, Trump hosted an event for Small Business Week at the White House. In his remarks, he described an “extraordinary revival of Main Street” during his second term. The US economy’s “roaring,” he said.

The national average for regular gas in America was $4.48 on Tuesday, according to AAA. That’s up 41% from this time last year. The RCP single-issue average for Trump on the economy shows he’s nearly 24ppt underwater.

On Tuesday evening, Trump took to TruthSocial to tout “Great Progress” on a “Complete and Final Agreement” with Iran. In light of that progress, he said, the US Navy will “pause” Project Freedom “for a short period of time to see whether or not the Agreement can be finalized and signed.” The US blockade of Iranian ports “remain[s] in full force and effect,” he added.