US President Donald Trump dismissed Iran’s decision to re-close the Strait of Hormuz as a temporary provocation on Friday evening, insisting diplomatic talks between Washington and Tehran are progressing.
“It’s working out very well — they got a little cute as they have been doing for 47 years,” Trump told reporters, adding that Washington was having “very good conversations” with Iranian officials.
The comments came hours after Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps reversed Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi’s declaration that the strait was “completely open,” announcing instead that transit would remain under “strict management.” Gunfire from an Iranian fast boat was also reported against merchant vessels attempting to cross the waterway earlier in the day.
Trump reiterated claims that US strikes had “mostly eliminated” Iran’s navy, air force and leadership. “They wanted to close up the strait again, as they’ve been doing for years. They can’t blackmail us,” he said.
“We’ll have some information by the end of the day. We’re talking to them, we’re taking a tough stand.”
The comments suggest a softer posture than Trump’s earlier warning that attacks would resume if no deal is reached by Wednesday. A second round of US-Iran talks is expected Monday in Islamabad.
The Hormuz status remains critical for Sri Lanka. The strait is the chokepoint for most of the country’s crude oil imports, and the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation has been rationing supply since closures began earlier this month. Brent crude, which fell to around $88 per barrel on Friday morning, will likely react sharply to any breakdown in negotiations before the Wednesday deadline.
