KABUL (Pajhwok): US President Donald Trump says the Strait of Hormuz is now “partly open” and talks with Iran are continuing, but shipping data shows that vessel traffic through the strategic waterway remains severely restricted.
The BBC reported that Trump on Thursday again said he did not want to say a deal had been reached, but that the Strait of Hormuz was “now partly open.”
Trump said the US had control of the waterway, but warned that Iran could still fire at vessels or lay sea mines.
He said even a single mine could disrupt shipping because no one would risk sending a billion-dollar vessel through an area where it could strike a mine.
“I think things are going very well,” Trump said.
He also said he was involved in the ongoing talks with Iran but did not provide details about his role in the negotiations.
Trump said the war with Iran would end soon, arguing that he did not believe Iran could continue fighting “much longer.”
However, shipping traffic through the Strait of Hormuz remains highly restricted.
Reports say Iran is asking vessels to sail close to its coastline when passing through the waterway and to obtain permission before entering.
According to maritime data analysis company Kpler, fewer than 10 vessels a day passed through the Strait of Hormuz from Sunday to Tuesday.
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