International Desk: U.S. President Donald Trump has issued a stern warning regarding Iran’s nuclear ambitions, stating unequivocally that the country will not be allowed to possess nuclear weapons.
According to Trump, 99% of the conditions for any “good deal” with Tehran must center on keeping the nation nuclear-free.
The President made these remarks on Friday while speaking to reporters at Joint Base Andrews, Maryland, just before boarding Air Force One. His comments come ahead of high-stakes peace negotiations in Islamabad, Pakistan, between U.S. and Iranian officials.
The Strait of Hormuz and “Toll Booth” Disputes
Addressing the strategic maritime crisis, Trump asserted that the U.S. would “open up the Gulf” and noted that other nations are ready to assist in this effort. He sent a clear message regarding the Strait of Hormuz, stating he would not tolerate any “toll booth” system or fees imposed by Iran for the safe passage of ships.
Tehran has recently hinted that even if a deal is reached to end hostilities, they plan to collect taxes or fees from vessels. “If they are doing that, we are not going to let it happen,” Trump told reporters. He added that if a nuclear deal is secured, the waterway would “automatically” open, allowing Iran to generate revenue through legitimate trade rather than transit fees.
Global Energy Flow at a Standstill
Despite a two-week ceasefire announced last Tuesday, maritime traffic in the Strait of Hormuz remains paralyzed. This chokepoint is critical, handling nearly one-fifth of the world’s oil and natural gas flow.
Data from S&P Global Market Intelligence shows that only two ships transited the strait on Friday, down from five the previous day. Since the ceasefire began, only 22 vessels with active Automatic Identification Systems (AIS) have exited the strait, compared to a pre-war average of 135 ships per day. According to Lloyd’s List Intelligence, over 600 vessels—including 325 tankers—remain stranded in the Persian Gulf due to the blockade.
Islamabad Peace Talks
Efforts to secure a permanent end to the conflict will culminate on Saturday in Islamabad. U.S. Vice President JD Vance and Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf are expected to lead the negotiations. While both sides have expressed a desire for peace, conflicting reports remain regarding the specific terms and Iran’s proposed 10-point plan.