Trump says Iran agreed to suspend nuclear program, open Strait of Hormuz
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More news: US President Donald Trump said Iran has agreed to suspend its nuclear program indefinitely, and will not receive any frozen funds from the US, during a phone interview with Bloomberg on Friday.
Trump told the masthead that a deal to end the war is mostly complete and that talks over a lasting agreement will “probably” be held this weekend.
“Most of the main points are finalised. It’ll go pretty quickly,” the President said.
Beyond earlier comments from Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi that the country had agreed to open the Strait of Hormuz, Iran has yet to comment on any deal, including on the issue of its nuclear program.
Asked by Bloomberg whether he would travel to Pakistan for formal talks with Iranian officials to sign an agreement, Trump said “I may”.
A report from Reuters, also citing a phone interview with the US President, said the US plans to enter Iran at a “leisurely pace” to recover its enriched uranium and relocate it to the States.
Iran says Strait of Hormuz to open during Lebanon-Israel ceasefire
The news: Iran said it would open the Strait of Hormuz throughout the 10-day ceasefire agreed between Lebanon and Israel.
Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said in a statement on X that the Strait would be open “for the remaining period of ceasefire.”
The context: US President Donald Trump announced the 10-day truce agreed between Israel and Hezbollah on Thursday, beginning at 5pm Thursday ET (7am Friday AEST) after what he described on Truth Social as “excellent conversations” with Lebanese President Joseph Aoun and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
Araghchi wrote on Friday: “In line with the ceasefire in Lebanon, the passage for all commercial vessels through Strait of Hormuz is declared completely open for the remaining period of ceasefire, on the coordinated route as already announced by Ports and Maritime Organisation of the Islamic Rep. of Iran.”
Trump responded to Iran’s decision via Truth Social, writing: “IRAN HAS JUST ANNOUNCED THAT THE STRAIT OF IRAN IS FULLY OPEN AND READY FOR FULL PASSAGE. THANK YOU!”
He continued that the US naval blockade of Iranian ports will remain in effect, “as it pertains to Iran, until an agreement between Washington and Tehran is “100% COMPLETE”.”
Trump added that an agreement between the US and Iran is expected to be reached soon.
The numbers: Oil prices plunged on the surprise announcement, declining more than 9% to USD90 a barrel. The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose by 702 points, or 1.5% after the announcement, while the S&P 500 lifted 0.8% and the Nasdaq Composite gained 1%.
The sources: Abbas Arahgchi X, Trump Truth Social, CNBC, Bloomberg, Reuters
