President Trump has cautioned Iran against continuing to charge tolls on shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, suggesting it could be a violation of its ceasefire deal with the US.
Trump expressed his frustrations with Tehran in a media briefing on Thursday, claiming the regime was doing a “very poor job” of allowing oil tankers through the vital sea route.
The strait, which in peacetime carries around 20 per cent of global oil supplies, was closed for an extended period prior to the agreement of the ceasefire earlier this week, causing significant volatility in oil prices.
Since the deal was announced, Iran has partially reopened the route, but is now reportedly charging commercial ships significant levies in return for safe passage.
Responding to the reports on his Truth Social Platform, Trump added: “There are reports that Iran is charging fees to tankers going through the Hormuz Strait — They better not be and if they are, they better stop now.”
And, in a subsequent post, he went on: “Because of me, IRAN WILL NEVER HAVE A NUCLEAR WEAPON and, very quickly, you’ll see Oil start flowing, with or without the help of Iran and, to me, it makes no difference, either way.”
Despite the tension over the strait, though, the ceasefire appears to be holding thus far, with Iran scaling back its strikes on neighbouring Gulf states and Israel.
However, the conflict continues between Israel and the Iran-backed terror group Hezbollah in Lebanon.
Prime Minister Netanyahu announced on Thursday evening that Israel would begin negotiations with the Lebanese government.
He said that following "repeated requests from the Lebanese government to open peace negotiations", talks would take place with the goal of disarming Hezbollah and bringing peace between Lebanon and Israel.
Iran and Hezbollah claim the US-Iran truce applied to Lebanon, but US Vice President JD Vance on Wednesday told reporters: "I think this comes from a legitimate misunderstanding. I think the Iranians thought that the ceasefire included Lebanon, and it just didn’t.”
To get more news, click here to sign up for our free daily newsletter.