Iran has agreed never again to proceed with closing the Strait of Hormuz, according to Donald Trump, who stressed that the strategically important passage will no longer be used as a tool of pressure against the international community.
“It is a wonderful and bright day for the world,” the US president said in a post.
However, an Iranian official told the Fars news agency that if the American blockade of Iranian ports continues, Tehran will consider it a violation of the ceasefire and will close the Strait of Hormuz.
In another post, Trump claimed that Iran is removing all its naval mines from the Strait of Hormuz with US assistance, without providing details: “Iran, with the help of the US, has removed or is in the process of removing all its naval mines! Thank you!” he wrote.
He also argued that the naval blockade concerning Iran remains in effect “until the agreement with Tehran is completed.”
New Trump attack on NATO
At the same time, Trump launched a new attack on NATO, citing developments in the Strait of Hormuz.
The US president claimed he rejected an offer of assistance from the Allies, added that – with US help – Iran cleared mines from the Strait, and thanked Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and Qatar for their contribution.
“Now that the situation in the Strait of Hormuz is over, I received a call from NATO asking if we needed help,” he said.
He argued that he rejected the Alliance’s offer, stating that its involvement was not required unless it wanted to transport oil. “I told them to stay away, unless they just want to load their ships with oil. They were useless when needed – a paper tiger,” he wrote.
“Israel is forbidden from bombing Lebanon again, enough!”
At the same time, the US president denied a report claiming that Washington is considering a deal with Iran involving an exchange of enriched uranium stockpiles for the release of frozen Iranian funds worth $20 billion, stressing that no financial transaction is foreseen. He also clarified that Israel has been forbidden from continuing bombings in Lebanon.
In a post on Truth Social, he appeared to reject information reported by Axios, according to which the United States is discussing an agreement with Tehran under which Iran would hand over its highly enriched uranium reserves in exchange for the release of frozen Iranian assets worth $20 billion.
“The US will receive all the ‘nuclear dust’ created by our B-2 bombers. No money will be given in any form, in any way,” he said.
The US president also sought to separate the agreement on Iran’s nuclear programme from the ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah in Lebanon, announced earlier in the week.
“This agreement is not connected to Lebanon. The US will work separately with Lebanon and will deal with the issue of Hezbollah in the appropriate manner. Israel will no longer bomb Lebanon,” he added.
According to Trump, Israel has committed to stopping attacks in the country, stressing that it is “forbidden” to continue the bombings. “Enough, that’s it,” he said.
Netanyahu: Israel has not yet “finished the job” against Hezbollah
On his part, Benjamin Netanyahu said that Israel has not completed its operations against Hezbollah, stating that actions will continue to “dismantle” the organisation, just hours after the start of the 10-day ceasefire.
“At the request of my friend, President Trump, with whom we changed the Middle East and achieved major successes, we agreed to a temporary ceasefire in Lebanon. At his request, an opportunity is given to promote a comprehensive political and military solution with the government of Lebanon,” Netanyahu initially said.
In a recorded message, the Israeli prime minister said that security issues remain open, noting that the country plans further moves to address the threat from rockets and unmanned aerial vehicles.
As he stressed, the main goal remains the full “dismantling of Hezbollah.”
Iran opens the Strait of Hormuz to commercial ships for the duration of the Lebanon ceasefire
Earlier, in a post, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi announced that passage through the Strait of Hormuz will be open to all commercial vessels for as long as the ceasefire in Lebanon lasts.
As he underlined, in connection with the implementation of the ceasefire agreement in Lebanon, unhindered passage of commercial ships through the strategically important sea route is permitted for the remaining duration of the ceasefire.
He clarified that ship traffic will take place via a coordinated route already defined by the Ports and Maritime Organisation of the Islamic Republic of Iran.
At the same time, sharp fluctuations are being recorded in the markets following Iran’s announcement regarding the Strait of Hormuz.
Around 13:10 (16:10 Greek time), the price of Brent crude oil for June delivery was down 10.42% at $89.03 per barrel. US WTI for May delivery was down 11.11% at $84.17 per barrel.
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