Trump says Strait of Hormuz deal could come 'soon' as Iran dismisses US 'theater diplomacy'
US President Donald Trump said on Thursday that negotiations aimed at reopening the Strait of Hormuz are progressing and suggested an agreement with Iran could be reached soon, while Iran's chief negotiator accused Washington of engaging in "theater diplomacy" and failing to honor its commitment
Trump signals progress in negotiations
Speaking to reporters at the White House, Trump declined to confirm that a final agreement had been reached but expressed optimism about the ongoing talks.
"I don't want to say it has been," Trump said when asked whether a deal had been finalized. "I'm involved in the negotiation. I think we're doing fine. It could be soon."
The US president said the Strait of Hormuz is "sort of open right now," crediting a US Navy-led blockade with maintaining security in the strategic waterway. However, he warned that even isolated threats, such as naval mines, could significantly disrupt commercial shipping.
"They can always shoot something... or drop a mine," Trump said, noting that shipping companies would be reluctant to risk billion-dollar vessels in unsafe waters.
Trump dismisses concerns over military readiness
Trump also rejected concerns over US military stockpiles, saying Washington possesses "massive amounts of ammunition" and maintains munitions reserves across the globe.
"We're supplied all over the world, but we're in very, very good shape," he said.
The president added that he believes the conflict with Iran will end "pretty soon," arguing that Tehran "can't go much longer."
Talks follow weeks of military escalation
Trump's remarks came after weeks of military exchanges between Washington and Tehran. The United States has targeted what it describes as military sites belonging to Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), while Iran has launched strikes against what it says are US military facilities in Jordan, Bahrain and Kuwait.
The escalation occurred despite a memorandum of understanding signed in June that paved the way for negotiations on a broader agreement.
However, the talks later stalled over disagreements on security guarantees and freedom of navigation through the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world's most important maritime routes for global energy supplies and international trade.
Last week, Trump threatened to strike Iranian energy infrastructure, bridges and power plants before later saying he had suspended further military action after Iran agreed to resume negotiations. Multiple US media outlets also reported that concerns over depleted interceptor missile stockpiles factored into the decision to hold off on additional strikes.
Iran accuses Washington of 'theater diplomacy'
Responding to Trump's latest comments, Iran's Parliament Speaker and chief negotiator Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf criticized what he described as Washington's inconsistent approach to diplomacy.
In a post on X, Ghalibaf mocked Trump's pattern of alternating between military threats and renewed negotiations.
> "'Massive attack coming … wait, never mind, they want to negotiate.' That's theater diplomacy on loop."
He said the use of "bullying, broken promises and fake news" had proven to be a failed strategy.
"Acknowledge the facts and fulfill your commitments. We don't need more theater," Ghalibaf wrote.
Negotiations remain fragile
The latest exchange highlights the fragile state of US-Iran diplomacy, with both sides attempting to revive negotiations while remaining divided over security guarantees and the future of navigation through the Strait of Hormuz, a waterway that carries a significant share of the world's oil and gas exports.
Source:AA
