HIBAPRESS – Follow-up
U.S. President Donald Trump emphasized in a statement to Agence France-Presse on Friday that "there are no longer any sticking points" preventing an agreement with Iran, following Tehran's announcement of the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz "in full" during the remaining period of the ceasefire.
Trump said in a brief phone interview with the agency, "We are very close to reaching an agreement," stressing that this agreement "is very close." He explained that the main goal of the United States is to permanently prevent Iran from developing a nuclear weapon, noting that Tehran had agreed, according to him, to hand over its stockpile of enriched uranium, which has not been confirmed by the Iranian authorities who deny seeking to possess a nuclear bomb. This came in conjunction with Iran's announcement of the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz for the remaining period of the ceasefire, following Israel's approval of a truce with Hezbollah in Lebanon. Despite the ceasefire coming into effect, the official Lebanese National News Agency reported a casualty in an Israeli raid targeting a motorcycle in southern Lebanon on Friday. In parallel, French President Emmanuel Macron and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer discussed in Paris with leaders of allied countries the possibility of forming a multi-party force to ensure security and freedom of trade in the Strait of Hormuz immediately after the ceasefire is established. The Iranian armed forces had closed the strait to the majority of ships with limited exceptions since the outbreak of the American-Israeli war on the Islamic Republic on February 28. In contrast, Washington imposed a blockade on Iranian ports since Monday with the aim of preventing Tehran from exporting its oil, and confirmed on Friday that this blockade would continue until a final agreement is reached. The first round of talks between the United States and Iran in Pakistan last weekend did not lead to a peace agreement, but Trump said a second round may be held soon. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi said that "under the ceasefire in Lebanon, the passage of all commercial ships through the Strait of Hormuz will be fully available for the remainder of the ceasefire period," explaining that this will be done "through the coordinated course as announced by the Iranian Ports and Maritime Organization." Iranian official media, quoting a military official, clarified that the passage of military ships through the Strait of Hormuz "remains prohibited." Araqchi did not specify the period he was referring to, noting that the ceasefire agreement between Iran and the United States extends for two weeks and came into effect on the night of April 7-8, while the ceasefire in Lebanon began on the night of Thursday to Friday and lasted for ten days.
Final settlement of the war? The United States welcomed the Iranian announcement, while at the same time affirming its continued blockade on Iranian ports until a possible final settlement of the war is reached. Before the Iranian announcement, the UK Maritime Trade Operations Center had reported that about 30 ships were bombed or targeted in the strait area since the start of the war. The closure of the strait led to a sharp rise in energy prices, before falling noticeably after Araqchi's statements. Despite the Iranian announcement, Washington did not take a similar step regarding the blockade, as the U.S. President confirmed its continuation until a settlement of the conflict is reached. Trump wrote on the "Truth Social" platform: "The Strait of Hormuz is now fully open… but the naval blockade will remain fully in place with regard to Iran exclusively, until we complete our discussion with Iran 100%." In a related context, Trump said that Iran is removing naval mines from the strait with the help of the United States, noting that the negotiation path may accelerate because most of the points have already been agreed upon. He also confirmed that Iran will not receive any money under any possible agreement regarding its nuclear program, in response to reports that spoke of the possibility of releasing $20 billion of frozen funds in exchange for giving up enriched uranium. He said: "The United States will get all the nuclear 'dust' that our B-2 bombers have caused, and no money will be given in any way." Possible force to secure Hormuz. Meanwhile, the French President and the British Prime Minister chaired a meeting in Paris attended by about 30 leaders of European, Asian and Middle Eastern countries, in person and via video, to discuss the formation of a multi-party force to ensure security and freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz immediately after the ceasefire is established. Keir Starmer announced that "more than twelve countries" have offered to participate in a multinational "peaceful and defensive" mission led by London and Paris to secure the strait, to be deployed when the appropriate conditions are available. He added that work will continue on the "military planning" of this force at a meeting in London next week, where more details about its composition will be announced. He also called for the opening of the Strait of Hormuz "without transit fees and without restrictions." Starmer stressed that this mission is "peaceful and purely defensive," and aims to reassure commercial navigation and support demining operations, noting that more than twelve countries have already offered to contribute assets. For his part, French President Emmanuel Macron welcomed Iran's announcement of the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz during the ceasefire, while at the same time stressing that the participants called for "its complete and unconditional reopening from all parties." Macron said that "the military security mission proposed by these countries is more legitimate, because it will give them the possibility of continuing in the long run."
