Imagine you're in a tough negotiation with someone. You're not getting what you want, so you start to get a little aggressive. That's kind of what's happening between the US and Iran right now. Iran just sent the US a new proposal, but President Trump isn't happy with it. In fact, he said something pretty provocative to reporters. He asked if they should just "blast the hell out of" Iran and get it over with, or try to make a deal.

The problem is, Trump quickly backtracked on that statement. He said he'd rather not blow up Iran... at least, not in an "official" capacity. But the damage is done. Iran's top military officer said that, as a result, war between the US and Iran is now more likely than ever. And Iran's military is ready. They're not going to let the US just bully them into submission. They're prepared to fight.

The reason all of this is so tense is because of the Strait of Hormuz. It's a tiny waterway that connects the Persian Gulf to the rest of the world. Iran has already blocked the strait, which means that oil and other important goods are getting stuck. The US has responded by blockading Iran's ports, which is making it harder for Iran to trade with other countries. It's a vicious cycle, and nobody knows how it's going to end.

Iran's leaders are vowing to keep their grip on the strait as long as the US keeps its blockade in place. They're not going to back down, and the US isn't going to back down either. It's a standoff, and it's getting more and more intense by the day.