Bloomberg reports that President Donald Trump is demanding Iran reach an agreement to open the Strait of Hormuz by the end of today, Tuesday. The report follows hours of conflicting signals and diplomatic maneuvering, as The Zioneer has documented.
The Bloomberg news agency reported Tuesday evening that President Donald Trump is demanding Iran reach an agreement to open the Strait of Hormuz by the end of the day. The report, attributed to unnamed sources, adds a new layer to the unfolding diplomatic crisis, which has seen hours of conflicting signals and competing deadlines.
As The Zioneer documented earlier today, the crisis unfolded rapidly. At 14:47 Jerusalem, the US Treasury Secretary told CNBC that a deal to reopen the strait could be reached as early as today or tomorrow, later projecting a chance by Wednesday. Concurrently, at 14:50 Jerusalem, The Zioneer reported that Trump was pressing for an understanding by end of day, threatening a devastating attack if no deal. A subsequent bulletin at 16:22 Jerusalem noted that Trump extended the deadline to tomorrow if no deal today, while maintaining the threat of a devastating strike. The new Bloomberg report confirms the demand for a deal by end of today but does not address the extension or the threat.
The crisis has been building for weeks. As The Zioneer reported on Sunday, Trump claimed a principled framework with Iran including the immediate opening of the strait, but Tehran denied any agreement. On Monday, Trump stated that oil tankers were departing the strait, contradicting Iranian reports that it would not reopen until a final agreement was signed. The Strait of Hormuz, a strategic waterway through which about 20% of global oil passes, remains at the center of tensions.
It remains unclear whether Iran has responded to Trump's latest demand. The Bloomberg report is based on unnamed sources, and the earlier reported extension to tomorrow, if no deal today, is not corroborated by Bloomberg. The situation remains fluid, with diplomatic and military options still on the table.
4 developments
- DevelopingReport: Trump demands immediate, non-phased reopening of Strait of Hormuz and end to naval blockade
- StrongTrump says tankers are sailing out of Strait of Hormuz, contradicting Iranian reports
- StrongTrump says Strait of Hormuz to reopen as early as Saturday or Monday
- StrongTrump: US and Iran close to 60-day ceasefire deal, Strait of Hormuz to reopen
Source and signal
- Open-source intake