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President Donald Trump announced on Friday that the Strait of Hormuz was “COMPLETELY OPEN AND READY FOR BUSINESS AND FULL PASSAGE,” explaining in a string of posts on Truth Social that Iran had agreed to reopen the shipping corridor.
“THE STRAIT OF HORMUZ IS COMPLETELY OPEN AND READY FOR BUSINESS AND FULL PASSAGE, BUT 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,” the president wrote.
He also announced that the United States would go into Iran to extract the often-discussed enriched uranium, and additionally noted that, while not explicitly part of the Iran deal, he had “PROHIBITED” Israeli forces from continuing their military campaign against Lebanon.
“This deal is in no way subject to Lebanon, either, but the USA will, separately, work with Lebanon, and deal with the Hezboolah [sic] situation in an appropriate manner,” President Trump explained. “Israel will not be bombing Lebanon any longer. They are PROHIBITED from doing so by the U.S.A. Enough is enough!!!”
Further, the president said that the U.S. military, along with Iran, is currently removing any remaining mines in the Strait of Hormuz.
This news comes as the president has confirmed that a second round of in-person peace talks will likely take place this weekend.
Kate Sullivan of Bloomberg spoke with the president on the phone Friday, and he told her that Iran had agreed to an “unlimited” suspension of nuclear development. President Trump also told Sullivan that although mainstream reports have speculated that the U.S. may release $20 billion in frozen Iranian funds in exchange for zero enrichment, the U.S. would not release any money.
Last weekend’s peace talks in Islamabad, Pakistan, were spearheaded by Vice President J.D. Vance, along with Special Envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner. President Trump told Sullivan that he was unsure whether VP Vance would lead negotiations this time.
“I haven’t made that determination yet. It’ll be a group. JD might be one of them, with Steve and Jared. We have a good team. JD’s good,” he stated, via Sullivan.
