Donald Trump suggested on Thursday that Iran — as a goodwill gesture in the negotiations — allowed the transit of 10 oil tankers through the Strait of Hormuz, including several Pakistan-flagged vessels.
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During Thursday's cabinet meeting at the White House, the US president indicated what was – as he previously put it – a “gift” from Iran.
Donald Trump reveals mysterious gift from Iran
The Iranians said, “to show that we are real and solid and that we are there, we will let you have eight ships, eight large oil ships” Trump reported on Thursday.
“I guess they were right, they were real and probably sailed under the Pakistani flag… It ended up being 10 of them” – said the US president.
See also: Donald Trump: We are talking to a key person in Iran. What about the Strait of Hormuz?
Strait of Hormuz open to selected countries
Pakistan is among the countries that Iran considers “friendly”. A Pakistani tanker sailed through Hormuz 10 days ago.
On Wednesday, Iran's foreign minister named five “friendly” countries: China, Russia, India, Iraq and Pakistan, to which the Strait of Hormuz is open. According to the latest reports, South Korea is also sixth on the list.
Iran's foreign minister emphasized that Tehran sees no reason for “enemies” to pass through the key route.
“Big oil and gas gift from Iran.” What did Donald Trump “get”?
On Tuesday Donald Trump talked about a mysterious gift from the Iranianssuggesting that the gift aided in diplomatic efforts to end the war.
“They gave us a gift, which arrived today. It was a very large gift, worth a huge amount of money, and I won't reveal what the gift was, but it was a very significant reward,” Trump said on Tuesday, as quoted by CNN.
The president added that the gift is “related to oil and gas.” “It was related to the flow, to the Strait.” he said, referring to the Strait of Hormuz, a key oil route that has been effectively closed.
Trump said the gift showed that Iranian negotiators talking to his administration were willing to keep their promises.
US-Iran talks
The United States presented Iran (via Pakistan) with a 15-point plan for a peace agreement.
Iranian state media reported on Wednesday that Tehran rejected a U.S. ceasefire offer and presented its own list of conditions for ending the war.
Tehran's list of conditions included, among others: control of the Strait of Hormuz, a key oil transport route that has been virtually closed since fighting began nearly four weeks ago.
Source: Reuters, CNBC
