US President Donald Trump said Tuesday that Washington has no talks scheduled with Iran, while claiming that the Strait of Hormuz remains “open and operating” despite sharply reduced shipping traffic and a reported attack on a vessel leaving the strategic waterway.
Trump’s remarks came as Oman and Iran continued negotiations over arrangements to restore shipping through the strait. Iran has said the waterway will remain closed until the United States meets its demands.
Two regional officials said Trump had earlier threatened to bomb Oman if Muscat interfered with US efforts, amid Omani attempts to reach an agreement with Tehran on managing maritime traffic through the strait.
Trump said on social media that the US blockade of Iranian ports remained “in full force and effect.” He also claimed that all naval mines had been cleared and that other vessels were free to navigate the waterway.
The US president posted a map portraying the Strait of Hormuz as US territory, drawing a sharp response from Iran's Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi.
Meanwhile, a projectile struck a vessel in the strait as negotiations continued. The incident added to concerns over the safety of one of the world's most important energy routes.
Iran-backed Houthi rebels also claimed that they had launched drone attacks targeting an oil refinery in Saudi Arabia, further escalating tensions in the region.
The Trump administration has reportedly raised objections to some provisions of a proposed Iranian-Omani agreement that has yet to be formally announced, according to officials familiar with Washington's position.
Among the US concerns are plans for Iran and Oman to jointly manage the exit route of the strait and collect voluntary fees from vessels using the passage. The proposed fees would reportedly be used for maritime security and environmental protection.
The officials spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to discuss the negotiations publicly.
The White House referred reporters to Trump's comments in the Oval Office and declined to provide additional details on the administration's position on the Omani-Iranian negotiations.