Amid the ongoing West Asia conflict and parallel peace talks between Iran and the United States, US President Donald Trump struck a cautious note after welcoming Tehran’s move to keep the Strait of Hormuz “fully open". He clarified that while commercial passage may continue, the US naval blockade targeting Iran will remain in place until a final agreement is reached.
"The Strait of Hormuz is completely open and ready for business and full passage, but the naval blockade will remain in full force and effect as it pertains to Iran, only, until such time as our transaction with Iran is 100% complete," Trump wrote.
He added, "This process should go very quickly in that most of the points are already negotiated."
The Trump administration is reportedly viewing the continued blockade as leverage to pressure Iran into finalising the deal.
Meanwhile, Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi confirmed that the Strait of Hormuz would remain open during the ceasefire period, allowing commercial vessels to pass through.
"In line with the ceasefire in Lebanon, the passage for all commercial vessels through the Strait of Hormuz is declared completely open for the remaining period of ceasefire on the coordinated route as already announced by the Ports and Maritime Organisation of the Islamic Rep. of Iran," Araghchi wrote on X.
Following the announcement, crude oil prices dropped by nearly 10 per cent, according to the Associated Press, reflecting easing concerns over supply disruptions.
Trump’s ‘Very Successful Negotiation’ Claim
Earlier on Thursday, Trump expressed optimism about a potential deal, saying there is a "very good chance" of an agreement between the two sides. He described the talks as a "very successful negotiation" and suggested that a deal could lead to free oil flows and stability in the region.
Prior to this, Trump also claimed that Iran is ready to hand over its "nuclear dust" to the United States, a term he uses for highly enriched uranium. The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has previously indicated that such material may be buried deep underground following US strikes on three key Iranian nuclear facilities in June last year.
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"There will be no enrichment of uranium," Trump said, adding that the United States would work with Iran to "dig up and remove all of the deeply buried (B-2 bomber) nuclear 'dust'."