According to US President Donald Trump, Washington has “very draconian sanctions” against Iran, and depending on events, more actions might be revealed.
Speaking to leaders in technology, he emphasized that the US has a number of options.
Trump clarified that either a significant decline in oil prices or the continuance of existing policies might be the outcome of the next course of action. “We’ll either continue to do exactly what we’re doing, or it will be extremely good, and oil prices are going to drop like a rock,” he said.
He said that the US naval blockade had been “extremely effective” and that the Strait of Hormuz was still open and functional. He emphasized that despite the tensions, oil shipments were still happening, saying, “The Strait is open right now.” Numerous vessels are passing through. No one is reporting that.
Trump called the blockade “100% successful,” emphasizing that it had been in effect for a considerable amount of time with only short breaks when short-term agreements were reached. “When they tell us one thing, and they do another,” he said, criticizing Iran for not upholding agreements.
He said that despite concerns about disruption, oil prices had been steady and that forecasts of $350 per barrel had not come to pass. Rather, prices were between $84 and $85, and large amounts of oil were still being exported.
Additionally, Trump mentioned Texas, Alaska, and Louisiana as alternative American oil supplies. “I think the Hormuz Strait is not going to be quite as important as it was in the past,” he continued, arguing that rising production and new pipelines had decreased dependency on the Strait of Hormuz.
He stated that the current state of affairs was “so good” that conversations were not required at this time, but he did imply that talks with Tehran could resume “maybe at some point.” Declaring, “Iran cannot have a nuclear weapon,” he reaffirmed that Iran must never be let to possess nuclear weapons. Do you know why? since they would make advantage of it. Additionally, we won’t allow them to use it.
Reports indicated that the US negotiating team had been instructed to pause discussions with Iran until Tehran was prepared to make concessions. Trump confirmed that no talks were currently scheduled, while maintaining that the Strait of Hormuz remained open.
Meanwhile, Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf stated that Tehran would not reopen the Strait of Hormuz until the United States fulfilled commitments under a 14-point Memorandum of Understanding. These commitments included lifting the blockade, releasing frozen Iranian assets and easing oil sanctionWashington and Tehran continue to be at odds over the Strait of Hormuz, with both parties making contradictory claims about its status.
The conflict emphasizes the waterway’s strategic significance—nearly one-fifth of the world’s oil supplies pass through it—and the possibility of further escalation in the area.
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