New Delhi, Apr 18 (UNI) US President Donald Trump claimed on Saturday that Iran has agreed to never close the Strait of Hormuz again, even as Tehran warned that it will close the Strait if the US continues its Naval blockade of Iranian ports.
'It (Hormuz) will no longer be used as a weapon against the world. A great and brilliant day for the world,' Trump said on his social media platform.
On the other hand, Iran's Parliament Speaker, Mohammed Bagher Ghalibaf, said the passage through the Strait of Hormuz will be conducted with Tehran’s authorisation.
Iran’s warning came hours after US President Donald Trump said on his social media platform that the Strait of Hormuz is 'completely open' and ready for business but the Naval blockade of Iranian ports will remain in full force.
Trump also claimed that China’s President Xi Jinping is 'very happy' that the Strait of Hormuz is open and/or rapidly opening.
'Our meeting in China will be a special one and, potentially, Historic. I look forward to being with President Xi — Much will be accomplished,' Trump said.
Trump is scheduled to visit China on May 14-15.
Trump said Iran has also announced that the Strait of Hormuz is fully open and ready for full passage.
'The Strait of Hormuz is completely open and ready for business and full passage. But the naval blockade will remain in force and effect as it pertains to Iran only until such time as our transaction with Iran is 100 per cent complete,' Trump had said.
He said now that the Hormuz Strait situation is over, he had received a call from NATO offering help.
'I told them to stay away, unless they just want to load up their ships with oil. They were useless when needed, a Paper Tiger,' Trump said, while thanking Saudi Arabia, UAE, and Qatar for their 'great bravery and help.'
Trump maintained that this deal is not tied, in any way, to Lebanon. '…, but we will, make Lebanon great again.'
He said that Iran, with the help of the US, has removed, or is removing, all sea mines.
Trump again lashed out at US media including the New York Times and CNN saying they 'just don’t know what to do.’’
'They are desperately looking for a reason to criticise President Donald Trump on the Iran situation, but just can’t find it. Why don’t they just say, at the right time, job well done Mr President, and start to gain back their credibility,' Trump said.
In a related development, Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) Navy, in a statement, announced a new order about the passage of vessels through the Strait.
According to the new order 'civilian vessels will only pass through Iran’s designated route, military vessels will still be prohibited from passing through the Strait, movements are only permitted with the permission of the IRGC Navy and any movement takes place in line with the agreement on the period of silence in the battlefield and after the implementation of the Lebanese ceasefire.'
UNI RB 1034