President Donald Trump denounced on social media Thursday that Iran is “doing a very poor job” of letting oil tankers pass through the Strait of Hormuz and that this is not what Washington and Tehran agreed to last Tuesday when declaring a momentary cease-fire.
“Iran is doing a very poor job – dishonorable, some would say – of allowing oil to pass through the Strait of Hormuz. That’s not the deal we have!” the Republican wrote in a brief message on his social network Truth Social.
Trump accuses Iran of non-compliance over Hormuz
Trump had already warned Iran hours earlier that it should immediately desist from charging oil tankers for crossing the Strait of Hormuz, following reports that pointed to possible tariffs imposed by Tehran on vessels crossing the sea passage.
“There are reports that Iran is charging fees to oil tankers,” Trump said on his Truth Social account in reference to the vessels that have begun to move through this strategic passage following the start of the ceasefire agreed with Tehran two days ago.
“They better not do it, and if they do, they better stop doing it immediately!” the Republican warned in a new warning to the Islamic republic.
According to reports from global ship monitor Kpler, some Palau- and Gabon-flagged vessels have been spotted crossing the vital shipping lane for the global hydrocarbon trade, indicating that maritime traffic may be starting to normalize following the ceasefire reached by Washington and Tehran.
In turn, Fox News reported that an Indian-flagged tanker also crossed the strait today.
USA accepted the two-week cease-fire agreement with Iran on condition that the Islamic republic, which has limited traffic at Hormuz after the start of the war on Feb. 28, implement “the full, immediate and safe opening” of the crossing.
Two days after the agreement was reached, uncertainty persists about its soundness in the face of Tehran’s demand that Lebanon must be included in the cease-fire and Israel’s attacks against Hezbollah targets in the neighboring country must cease.
Washington and Tehran are scheduled to begin negotiations in Islamabad on Saturday to reach a peace agreement.
Vice President JD Vance will lead a delegation to talks with Iran in Pakistan, which will begin April 11, according to the White House.
The price of oil recorded a very slight rise on Thursday, with Brent crude oil rising by 1-2% to around 97 dollars, while the US West Texas Intermediate (WTI) barrel moved at similar levels, underlining the markets’ distrust of a ceasefire that is proving to be very uncertain.
Filed under: Trump accuses Iran of non-compliance over Hormuz
With information from EFE
