Trump-Iran Talk: Amidst the ongoing tension in the Middle East, Donald Trump said that the Strait of Hormuz (which is almost closed due to war and conflict) will be opened soon if the talks are successful. He jokingly said that perhaps he and the Ayatollah would together control it.
Trump said that the US is postponing attacks on Iran’s energy networks for five days because he had good talks with Iran. However, it was not clear who was involved in the talks and what would be the terms of the agreement. After Trump’s statement, immediate impact was seen in the markets. Brent crude oil prices fell, the dollar weakened, stock markets rose and government borrowing costs fell.
Iran rejected Trump’s claim
Iran’s Fars News Agency said that no direct or indirect talks have taken place with America. Trump’s statement came in a week in which drone and missile attacks continued. On March 18, Israel attacked Iran’s South Pars gas field, to which Iran retaliated by targeting Qatar’s Ras Laffan LNG plant. Iran had warned that if America attacks their power plants, it will attack the power plants that provide electricity to American bases in the Gulf region.
Importance of Strait of Hormuz
The Strait of Hormuz is the main route for 20 percent of the world’s oil and LNG and was almost closed after the US-Israeli attacks on February 28. The then Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei was killed in these attacks.
Trump said this
Speaking to reporters in Florida, Trump said, “The Strait of Hormuz will open soon if negotiations with Tehran are successful. Maybe the Ayatollah and I will take control together.” “Maybe me. Maybe me and the Ayatollah, whoever the next Ayatollah will be,” he said jokingly.