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US President Donald Trump has declared that the American naval blockade of Iranian ports will persist until a comprehensive peace agreement is finalised with Tehran, despite Iran's move to restore access to the Strait of Hormuz.
Clarifying the US position via his Truth Social network, Trump stated, "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." He further noted that "this process should go very quickly." In a subsequent social media update, the US President mentioned that Iran is currently removing mines from the Strait of Hormuz with American assistance. These remarks follow Tehran's announcement of a temporary reopening of the strategic waterway, a move linked to the ceasefire currently in effect between Israel and Lebanon. While commercial shipping is now permitted to transit the route, Washington has maintained that economic and military pressure on Iran will not subside prematurely. Although Trump welcomed the Iranian announcement with a "THANK YOU!" on his Truth Social platform, acknowledging that the waterway was "FULLY OPEN AND READY FOR FULL PASSAGE", he remained firm that the blockade of Iranian ports would only be lifted once a formal peace deal is signed. The President told reporters on Thursday that a deal with Iran was "very close", although high-level negotiations led by Vice President JD Vance in Pakistan last weekend concluded without a breakthrough. Tehran's decision to open the shipping lane to commercial traffic coincided with the commencement of the Lebanon truce, sparking optimism that significant hurdles to a broader US-Iran agreement are being dismantled. In Lebanon, the 10-day cessation of hostilities has prompted displaced families to return to their homes. Roads were reportedly thronged with vehicles as residents took the opportunity to travel back to the war-torn southern regions and bomb-damaged areas of south Beirut. Following the start of the truce in Lebanon, where Israel has been engaged in conflict with the Tehran-aligned Hezbollah, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi confirmed that Iran would lift its restrictions on shipping through the critical Gulf energy corridor. (ANI)
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