WASHINGTON, June 23 (ANI) — U.S. President Donald Trump said Monday that continued peace following the end of the Iran-Israel conflict will depend on Tehran showing “respect” toward the United States, while expressing optimism that the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz will provide a major boost to global energy supplies.
“As long as they respect us, I don’t want to use the word fear because that’s an inappropriate word, but as long as they respect us, we’re not going to have any trouble,” Trump told reporters in the Oval Office.
The strategically important shipping route was effectively closed by Iran following joint U.S.-Israeli strikes on Feb. 28, causing fuel prices to rise sharply around the world.
Although an interim agreement has since been reached to halt hostilities and reopen the passage, the primary shipping channel remains obstructed by mines, despite dozens of vessels successfully transiting the area over the weekend.
Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, who also serves as Tehran’s lead negotiator, said Monday that the Strait of Hormuz would be administered by Iran while remaining subject to international law.
“Hopefully, we can activate the strait again, in terms of passage, and bring prosperity back to the regional and global economy,” Ghalibaf told Iranian state media while returning from Switzerland.
Ghalibaf and Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi arrived in Oman on Monday night, where they met with Omani Foreign Minister Badr al-Busaidi to discuss ongoing peace efforts and maritime security in the Strait of Hormuz.
As part of the interim agreement, the U.S. Treasury Department issued a 60-day license on Monday waiving sanctions on Iranian oil exports.
The waiver also permits Iranian oil imports into the United States, marking a significant policy shift. The U.S. has not imported substantial volumes of Iranian oil since the 1990s.
Maritime traffic through the strait has gradually increased. According to data from analytics firm Kpler, 71 confirmed vessel transits were recorded over the weekend, including 35 crossings on Saturday. Before the conflict, the waterway typically handled between 100 and 130 vessels per day.
To avoid the mined central shipping channel, vessels have been using alternative routes through Iranian territorial waters to the north and Omani waters to the south.
Energy markets responded positively to the developments. Brent crude oil fell 3.2 percent to $77.52 per barrel, moving closer to its pre-conflict level of around $70 per barrel.
U.S. benchmark crude oil also declined, falling 2.6 percent to $73.86 per barrel. (ANI)
About The Author
