“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 Organization of the Islamic [Republic] of Iran,” Araghchi said in a post on X, as quoted by DW.
However, United States President Donald Trump said Washington would maintain pressure on Tehran, stressing that the US naval blockade of Iranian ports would remain in place until a final agreement is reached.
“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,” Trump wrote on Truth Social.
Trump added that negotiations were progressing quickly, with most issues already agreed upon. Later on Friday, he told AFP, as reported by Al Jazeera, that there were “no sticking points” left, suggesting a deal to end the war was “very close.”
He also told Reuters that any agreement would involve the United States working with Iran to recover enriched uranium and transfer it to the US, rejecting reports of a $20 billion cash-for-uranium exchange.
Iran, however, denied that such discussions had taken place. State media outlet Mizan said there had been no negotiations over transferring enriched uranium to the United States, contradicting statements from Washington.
The developments follow talks between the United States and Iran in Islamabad on April 11–12 that ended without a breakthrough. Iran had previously closed the Strait of Hormuz on February 28 after the outbreak of war with the US and Israel, disrupting a key artery for global oil and gas shipments.
Tehran later agreed to reopen the route under a ceasefire with Washington that began on April 8, while a separate 10-day truce between Israel and Lebanon’s Hezbollah took effect on Thursday.
Read: Trump Claims Iran to Cede Enriched Uranium as Deal Nears
Click here to get the latest news updates from Tempo on Google News
