DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — U.S. President Donald Trump said on Tuesday evening that he has paused the U.S. effort to guide stranded vessels out of the Strait of Hormuz to finalize an Iran deal, but that the American forces' blockade of the Iranian ports would remain in place.
Trump announced the decision in a social media post, saying he was pausing the effort for a short period to give space for U.S. efforts to finalize a settlement with Iran to end the war.
Trump in the post said he was making the move based “on the request of Pakistan and other Countries, the tremendous Military Success that we have had during the Campaign against the Country of Iran and, additionally, the fact that Great Progress has been made toward a Complete and Final Agreement with Representatives of Iran.”
The White House did not immediately respond to a request for comment offering further detail about the progress in negotiations that Trump alluded to in his posting.
The announcement came after military leaders and U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio insisted a ceasefire in the Middle East was still holding and that — while the conflict is not resolved — the initial major U.S. military operation against Iran has concluded.
The blockade, however, would remain in place, Trump said, casting the decision as based “on the request of Pakistan and other Countries, the tremendous Military Success that we have had during the Campaign against the Country of Iran and, additionally, the fact that Great Progress has been made toward a Complete and Final Agreement with Representatives of Iran.”
Rubio told a White House press briefing Tuesday that for peace to be achieved, Iran must agree to U.S. President Donald Trump’s demands on its nuclear program and also agree to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, a vital waterway for global energy.
He spoke as the United Arab Emirates said it came under attack from Iranian drones and missiles for a second day.
“We would prefer the path of peace,” Rubio said. He also expressed hope that during the expected visit to China by Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi on Wednesday, Beijing would reiterate to Tehran the need to release its chokehold on the strait.
“It is in China’s interest that Iran stop closing the strait,” Rubio said.
Source: WPLG
