US President Donald Trump has claimed that Iran effectively offered what he described as a “gift” of oil shipments through the Strait of Hormuz, saying as many as 10 Pakistan-flagged tankers passed through the crucial route in recent days.Speaking at a cabinet meeting, Trump recounted a conversation in which he was told Tehran would make a gesture. “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,” he said. “This was two days ago… and I didn’t think much about it.”
He then described watching television coverage that appeared to confirm the movement. “I watched the news… and he said, something’s unusual happening. There are eight boats that are going right up the middle of the Hormo Strait. Eight big tankers are going, loaded up with oil right through,” Trump said, adding: “I said, well, I guess they were right. And they were. They were real, and I think they were Pakistani flagged.”Trump went further, suggesting the number of vessels increased after an apparent follow-up move from Tehran. “They then apologised for something. They said, and they said, we’re going to send two more boats. And it ended up being ten boats,” he said. “I said, well, I guess we’re dealing with the right people.”Just a day earlier, Trump said Iran had made a significant energy-related concession to the United States, describing it as a positive development without offering details. He hinted the move might involve the Strait of Hormuz, a crucial route for global oil shipments. Speaking in the Oval Office, Trump called it a valuable “gift” tied to oil and gas rather than nuclear issues. The remarks come amid an intensifying conflict between the United States and Iran, now nearing a month in duration. Trump insisted Tehran is under pressure to negotiate, saying: “They are begging to make a deal, not me. They’re begging to make a deal.” At the same time, he warned that Washington could escalate further if Iran does not abandon its nuclear ambitions. “If they don’t, we’re their worst nightmare… we’ll just keep blowing them away,” he said.Trump also indicated that taking control of Iran’s oil resources remained under consideration. “It’s an option,” he said, drawing comparisons with US actions in Venezuela.The Strait of Hormuz remains central to the talks with roughly a fifth of the world’s oil supply passing through the narrow corridor. Iran has in recent weeks restricted or scrutinised vessels linked to the US and its allies, while allowing limited traffic to continue, contributing to volatility in global energy markets.As fighting continues, the humanitarian toll has mounted sharply, with thousands reported dead across Iran and Lebanon and millions displaced. Despite ongoing diplomatic contacts, Iranian officials have described US proposals as “one-sided and unfair,” leaving uncertainty over whether negotiations can halt the conflict.
