WASHINGTON: US President Donald Trump announced that the Strait of Hormuz blockade has been lifted and called for the strategic waterway to be reopened immediately without restrictions or tolls.
Speaking to reporters, Trump said naval mines had been removed from the Strait of Hormuz and vessels stranded in the region could begin return operations.
The US president said he was heading to the White House Situation Room for further meetings regarding Iran and stressed that Tehran must agree never to possess nuclear weapons.
Trump also stated that the United States would remove enriched nuclear material buried underground following recent attacks, adding that the process could involve technical cooperation from China and coordination with Iran and the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).
He said any recovered enriched material would be completely destroyed.
The US president further announced that no financial payments would be made to Iran until further notice, while claiming that progress had already been achieved on other less critical issues with Tehran.
The Strait of Hormuz remains one of the world’s most strategically important oil shipping routes, and any disruption in the region has significant implications for global energy markets and international trade.
More read, US, Iran near ceasefire extension pending Trump approval: report
Earlier, The United States and Iran have moved closer to extending their ceasefire and reopening the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz, although a final agreement has yet to be approved, Reuters reported, citing sources familiar with the negotiations.
According to the report, both sides reached a preliminary understanding on Thursday to extend the existing truce for another 60 days and ease restrictions on maritime traffic through the Strait of Hormuz a key global energy corridor handling a significant share of oil and liquefied natural gas shipments.
