Donald Trump's recent Truth Social post about the opening of the Strait of Hormuz. Photo / Truth Social
The United States will begin escorting ships through the Strait of Hormuz, US President Donald Trump said via a post on Truth Social.
The President said that “countries from all over the world” had requested it, adding: “For the good of Iran, the Middle East, and the United States, we have told these countries that we will guide their ships safely out of these restricted waterways, so that they can freely and ably get on with their business.”
He said that the “process, Project Freedom, will begin Monday morning, Middle East time”. Midnight in UAE coincided with 8am in New Zealand.
Trump’s post added that US officials were holding “very positive discussions” with Iran over potential steps toward ending the war that has upended the Middle East.
He wrote: “I am fully aware that my Representatives are having very positive discussions with the country of Iran, and that these discussions could lead to something very positive for all.”
Iran’s foreign ministry earlier said that Tehran had submitted a 14-point plan “focused on ending the war” and that Washington had responded to it in a message to Pakistani mediators.
The Telegraph reported that Iran proposed a one-month deadline to permanently end the war with the US and open the Strait of Hormuz. The latest deal would leave the issue of Iran’s nuclear capabilities unresolved until after agreement has been met on other issues.
The proposal came as oil experts warned that a “tipping point” in global crude reserves would be hit by the end of May, threatening to send prices skyrocketing in the summer.
The 14-point plan would require both sides to lift their blockades of the Strait of Hormuz, end the war in Lebanon and release Iran’s frozen assets. It would also require the US to pay compensation and lift sanctions against Tehran.
A spokesman for Iran’s foreign ministry, Esmaeil Baqaei, confirmed that Tehran had submitted the 14-point plan “focused on ending the war”, and that Washington had responded to it in a message to Pakistani mediators.
Before he spoke about “positive” negotiations, Trump wrote on Truth Social: “I will soon be reviewing the plan that Iran has just sent to us, but can’t imagine that it would be acceptable in that they have not yet paid a big enough price for what they have done to Humanity, and the World, over the last 47 years.”
- AFP