U.S. President Donald Trump has said Iran allowed the passage of 10 oil tankers through the strategic Strait of Hormuz as a sign of goodwill amid ongoing efforts to end the Middle East conflict.
Speaking during his first cabinet meeting since the war began nearly four weeks ago, Trump described the move as a “present” from Tehran, indicating its willingness to engage in serious negotiations.
According to him, Iranian officials initially approved the movement of eight oil vessels to demonstrate their commitment to talks. He added that two additional tankers were later permitted after what he described as an apology from the Iranian side.
Trump, however, did not provide further details about the arrangement. Before disclosing the information, he briefly consulted his Middle East envoy, Steve Witkoff, during the meeting.
The Strait of Hormuz, a vital global energy route, has experienced significantly reduced shipping activity since the conflict escalated, with Iranian forces reportedly restricting movement through the channel.
Meanwhile, data from marine intelligence firm Kpler indicated that several oil and gas vessels have recently transited the Gulf. However, there is no independent confirmation that these ships are the same ones referenced by Trump.
Reports suggest some of the vessels are heading toward destinations including China, Thailand, Singapore, and India, while others remain unaccounted for due to limited tracking data.
