President Trump Accuses Iran of Duplicity Over Strait of Hormuz Negotiations
President Trump accused Iran of duplicity regarding ongoing negotiations to reopen the Strait of Hormuz. While the administration announced that talks are currently underway to fully reopen the waterway and denuclearize Iran, Iranian Foreign Affairs Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei stated that Tehran is currently only in discussions with Oman to secure a temporary safe route. This diplomatic confusion persists despite President Trump's insistence that a deal is imminent. The situation has caused significant maritime uncertainty, with the international oil benchmark Brent crude rising as traffic through the strait remains at a fraction of its peacetime flow. Recent attacks on cargo vessels, including a projectile strike on a dry bulk ship near the Omani coast, have further underscored the risks. Industry analysts suggest that the threat to trade is at its worst since the start of the conflict. While some vessels are taking the risk of traveling through the Strait of Hormuz by turning off their transponders to avoid detection, others are seeking alternative routes in the Red Sea, though those are also facing increased pressure from Houthi militia attacks.