 "U.S. President Donald Trump holds a press conference at Trump National Doral Miami in Miami. File photo")
US President Donald Trump has called the Strait of Hormuz the “Strait of Trump” as he demanded the full reopening of the key waterway.
“They have to open it up, they have to open up the Strait of Trump. I mean Hormuz. Excuse me, I’m so sorry. Such a terrible mistake," Trump said at the FII Priority Summit in Miami Beach, Florida.
He further said, “Fake news will say ‘he accidentally said.’ No, there’s no accidents with me. Not too many.”
‘They have to open it up’
Trump warned Iran to fully reopen the vital waterway within days or face the destruction of its power infrastructure. However, on Thursday, he announced a 10-day extension, saying negotiations with Tehran are ongoing, and set a new deadline of Monday, April 6.
Repeating his claims that Tehran is ready to make a deal despite its denials, the 79-year-old US leader said that talks were underway to negotiate an end to the month-long conflict.
Trump added that Iran was “on the run” and reiterated assertions that Tehran’s leadership, navy, air force and nuclear program had all suffered significant damage.
“We’re negotiating now, and it would be great if we could do something, but they have to open it up,” Trump said.
Witkoff says Iran meetings to held ’this week'
US special envoy Steve Witkoff said Friday he believes Iran will hold talks with Washington “this week,” as President Donald Trump reiterated his claims that Tehran wants to make a deal.
“We think there will be meetings this week, we’re certainly hopeful for it,” Witkoff told a business forum in Miami, where Trump is due to speak later, when asked about Iran negotiations.
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View All“We have a 15-point plan on the table. We expect the Iranians to respond. It could solve it all,” Witkoff said.
With inputs from agencies