Donald Trump on Thursday said the “mystery present” he had mentioned earlier this week from Iran was in fact 10 oil-laden vessels allowed to pass through the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz.

Speaking at a Cabinet meeting at the White House, Trump said Tehran had permitted the ships to transit the strait as a goodwill gesture amid ongoing negotiations. He noted that some of the vessels were flying Pakistani flags.

“They said they would let eight big boats of oil pass to show they are serious. It ended up being 10 boats,” Trump said, adding that the two additional vessels were sent as an apology for earlier remarks by Iranian officials.

Earlier on Tuesday, while speaking in the Oval Office, Trump had described the development as a “very significant prize” without revealing details at the time.

Iran has been restricting vessels it considers linked to the United States and Israel amid the ongoing conflict, while allowing limited passage for others through the narrow waterway, which handles a significant share of global oil shipments.

Jasem Mohamed al-Budaiwi of the Gulf Cooperation Council said Iran was also charging some ships for safe passage through the strait.

Commenting on the issue, Trump said such charges should not be allowed, though he acknowledged that Iran was “doing it a little bit.”

Despite tensions in the region, Trump said global oil prices and stock markets had not reacted as sharply as he had anticipated.

On Tuesday, Iran said it would allow “non-hostile vessels” to transit the Strait of Hormuz. In a post on X, the Iranian Embassy in South Africa said vessels linked to the United States, Israel, or parties involved in attacks against Iran would not be considered non-hostile.

Trump has set a five-day deadline, expiring Saturday, warning he would “unleash hell” if Iran fails to meet US demands regarding its nuclear and missile programmes and ensure the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz.  

#From NDTV