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Trump: Iran's "Present" of 10 Oil Tankers Shows "Real" Negotiations

US President Donald Trump stated that Iran permitted 10 Pakistani-flagged oil tankers to pass through the Strait of Hormuz as a "present" to the United States, framing it as a sign of serious negotiations. He recounted that Iranian officials initially offered eight vessels and then added two more. This development occurs amid ongoing diplomatic talks following military strikes and retaliations in West Asia. The conflict had led Iran to virtually close the critical waterway, disrupting global energy markets.

Key Points: Trump Says Iran Allowed 10 Oil Tankers as "Present" to US

  • Iran allowed tanker passage as goodwill
  • Tankers were Pakistani-flagged
  • Trump calls it a "significant prize"
  • Strait of Hormuz virtually closed due to conflict
  • Gesture amid US-Iran talks and regional strikes
2 min read

Iran allows 10 boats of oil through Hormuz via Pakistani-flagged tankers as "present": Trump

US President Trump reveals Iran allowed 10 Pakistani-flagged oil tankers through Strait of Hormuz as a goodwill gesture amid ongoing talks.

"To show you the fact that we're real and solid... we're going to let you have eight boats of oil - Donald Trump, quoting Iranian officials"

Washington DC, March 27

US President Donald Trump said that Iran allowed 10 oil tankers to pass through the Strait of Hormuz as a "present" to the United States amid ongoing negotiations between Tehran and Washington as the conflict continues in West Asia, calling it a significant goodwill gesture.

Speaking to reporters during a Cabinet meeting in the White House on Thursday, Trump said the US had engaged in "very substantial talks" with Iranian officials amid the conflict and described the tanker movement as proof of seriousness in the discussions.

"They said, 'To show you the fact that we're real and solid and we're there, we're going to let you have eight boats of oil, eight boats, eight big boats of oil," Trump said, adding that "they were right and they were real."

According to him, the vessels passed through the Strait of Hormuz flying Pakistani flags. "I think they were Pakistani-flagged," he noted.

"And I said, 'Well, I guess we're dealing with the right people.' And actually, they then apologised for something they said, and they said, 'We're going to send two more boats.' And it would end up being 10 boats," the US President stated.

"I thought it was appropriate to say because I did taunt you the other day by saying they're going to give us a present," he added.

Responding to a question on whether Iran should be allowed to charge tolls for vessels crossing the strait, Trump said, "They shouldn't be able to, but they're doing it a little bit."

Earlier on Tuesday, Trump said Iran would give the US a "big present", stating that, "It was a very big present, worth a tremendous amount of money, and I'm not going to tell you what the present is, but it was a very significant prize" from the Oval Office.

The development comes as diplomatic engagements between Washington and Tehran continue amid the conflict in West Asia, following US-Israel joint military strikes on Iran on February 28, which led to the death of 86-year-old Iran's Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, after which Tehran, in retaliation, targeted Israel and US assets in several Gulf countries, causing disruption in the waterways and affecting international energy markets and global economic stability.

Due to the conflict in the region, Iran has virtually closed the Strait of Hormuz.

- ANI

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Reader Comments

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Priyanka N
Interesting that Pakistani-flagged tankers are involved. Pakistan's economy is in shambles, and now they are in the middle of this US-Iran drama? Feels like they are trying to play both sides. India needs to watch this space carefully for any implications on our neighborhood.
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Arjun K
Trump calling it a "present" is so typical. It's not a gift, it's a strategic move in a high-stakes negotiation. The real story is the volatility in global oil markets. Our government should accelerate investments in renewable energy to reduce this dependency.
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Sarah B
The language used here is concerning. Describing geopolitical concessions as "presents" and "prizes" trivializes a serious conflict that has cost lives, including that of an elderly leader. It undermines the gravity of the situation for the people living there.
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Vikram M
The mention of Pakistan is key. It shows how Iran is trying to navigate its relationships. For India, maintaining a balanced foreign policy with all Gulf nations is more crucial than ever. We cannot afford to pick sides in this West Asia conflict.
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Karthik V
Let's be clear, this is about oil flow and money, not goodwill. Every Indian who pays for petrol or diesel feels this tension. Hope our diplomats are working overtime to secure our energy lanes. Jai Hind!

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