US President Donald Trump says Iran allowed 10 oil tankers through the Strait of Hormuz as a goodwill gesture amid war negotiations.
WASHINGTON: President Donald Trump said Iran allowed 10 oil tankers to pass the strategic Strait of Hormuz as a “present” to prove its seriousness in negotiations to end the Middle East war.
He made the remarks during his first cabinet meeting since the conflict began nearly four weeks ago.
“They said ‘to show you the fact that we’re real and solid and we’re there, we’re going to let you have eight boats of oil,'” Trump told reporters.
He added that Iran then apologised for an unspecified comment and offered two more vessels.
The tankers were believed to be Pakistani-flagged, according to Trump, who said he had seen news reports of their passage.
Before detailing the account, Trump first checked with his Middle East negotiator Steve Witkoff, asking “Steve, can I reveal the present?”
Data from marine intelligence firm Kpler shows six laden oil tankers and five loaded gas carriers have transited the Gulf since Monday.
There was no independent confirmation these were the vessels cited by the US president.
Of these, three oil tankers and two gas carriers are currently subject to US sanctions related to Iran.
Based on tracking signals, two of the six oil tankers appear to be heading toward China, while one is bound for Thailand.
One gas carrier is en route to Singapore, and another has already arrived in India.
Destinations for the remaining six vessels could not be determined from the available data.
Iranian forces have severely restricted shipping through the strait, a key global energy chokepoint, during the conflict.
