President Donald Trump says the Strait of Hormuz will not be controlled by any single country and that it remains international waters. Speaking at the White House during a Cabinet meeting and in subsequent remarks, he says the strait will stay open to all and that the United States will “watch over it.” His comments respond to Iranian demands and proposals discussed in negotiations, including arrangements that could involve Iran overseeing management of the waterway. Trump’s position, reported across multiple outlets, is that such control by Iran would not be accepted.
The reports also note that the strait’s status is tied to efforts to resolve the war between the United States and Iran, with the Strait of Hormuz currently described as closed and shippers hesitant to transit. Trump additionally links US policy on Iran to the negotiation timeline, saying the US will not consider sanctions relief until a deal is signed. One outlet reports Trump referenced Oman’s reported role in discussions over coordination and said it would have to act like other participants or face unspecified consequences. Overall, the statements present uncertainty about near-term breakthroughs in negotiations.
