President Donald Trump said Saturday that a peace agreement with Iran has been “largely negotiated” and will include the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, signaling what could become the most significant diplomatic breakthrough since the Iran crisis erupted earlier this year.
The statement follows months of escalating tensions that saw Iran effectively shut down or threaten passage through the Strait of Hormuz, one of the most critical energy chokepoints in the world. Roughly 20 percent of global oil and liquefied natural gas traffic normally passes through the narrow waterway between Iran, Oman, and the United Arab Emirates. The disruption sent energy markets into chaos and triggered fears of a broader regional war.
“I am in the Oval Office at the White House where we just had a very good call with President Mohammed bin Salman Al Saud, of Saudi Arabia, Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, of The United Arab Emirates, Emir Tamim bin Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, Prime Minister Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim bin Jaber Al Thani, and Minister Ali al-Thawadi, of Qatar, Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir Ahmed Shah, of Pakistan, President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, of Türkiye, President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi, of Egypt, King Abdullah II, of Jordan, and King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, of Bahrain, concerning the Islamic Republic of Iran, and all things related to a Memorandum of Understanding pertaining to PEACE. An Agreement has been largely negotiated, subject to finalization between the United States of America, the Islamic Republic of Iran, and the various other Countries, as listed. Separately, I had a call with Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu, of Israel, which, likewise, went very well. Final aspects and details of the Deal are currently being discussed, and will be announced shortly. In addition to many other elements of the Agreement, the Strait of Hormuz will be opened. Thank you for your attention to this matter! President DONALD J. TRUMP”
The announcement also marks a dramatic turn from Trump’s posture earlier in the conflict. In March, Trump issued a blunt 48-hour ultimatum warning Iran that if the Strait of Hormuz were not reopened “WITHOUT THREAT,” the United States would strike Iranian infrastructure, including power plants. At the time, Trump warned:
“If Iran doesn’t FULLY OPEN, WITHOUT THREAT, the Strait of Hormuz, within 48 HOURS from this exact point in time, the United States of America will hit and obliterate their various POWER PLANTS, STARTING WITH THE BIGGEST ONE FIRST!”
Now, after months of military pressure, shipping disruptions, and diplomatic maneuvering involving nearly every major regional power, Trump is signaling that a broader agreement may finally be close.
The details of the framework remain unclear, particularly how enforcement of “safe passage” through the strait would work and what concessions Iran may have made behind closed doors. But if the agreement holds, reopening the Strait of Hormuz would ease one of the largest pressure points hanging over the global economy since the conflict began.
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