Trump: 'Last-chance' talks underway with Iran before ousting its leadership

US President Donald Trump reiterated his assertion that “there are ongoing talks with Iran now,” adding, “We are currently speaking with the Iranians in response to their request, and this is their last chance… I want to give them one last chance before I completely destroy them.” He further noted that these discussions are being conducted with the support of Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, and other countries. Trump continued, “I want to give Iran one last chance before removing its leadership.”

Speaking to reporters before signing an executive order in the Oval Office of the White House, Trump stated that “this is Iran’s last chance to reach a good deal,” affirming that “talks are ongoing with Iran, and the Iranians have not denied this.” The US president added, “We have a dispute with Iran, and things are going extremely well,” continuing, “The Iranians sometimes deny that talks are taking place, even though they spend long hours negotiating.”

Regarding the progress of the talks, Trump said, “We are currently discussing the full reopening of the Strait of Hormuz,” adding that Iran cannot impose fees in the strait, as the US has complete naval control. He went on to say, “The second phase will involve stripping Iran of any nuclear capabilities, and I have never changed my position on that. This step is the core of the issue and should have been taken a long time ago.”

On oil prices, Trump remarked, “When we are done with Iran, prices will drop significantly.”

For his part, US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said the United States might reach an agreement with Iran to reopen the Strait of Hormuz by Wednesday, noting that this would contribute to stabilizing energy prices. In an interview with CNBC yesterday, Bessent said, “We are holding talks with the Iranians, and I believe there is a chance of reaching an agreement to open the strait and move toward greater normalization of the situation in this dispute.”

When asked whether the agreement would allow Iran to impose fees on ships transiting the strait, Bessent replied, “I believe it will ensure freedom of navigation.”

For its part, the Iranian Foreign Ministry denied the existence of current negotiations with Washington, at a time when an unidentified projectile struck a cargo ship in the Strait of Hormuz yesterday.

Bessent expressed optimism about the potential impact any agreement with Iran regarding the strait could have on energy prices, clarifying that hundreds of ships are waiting to sail. He said, “Despite the instability in the area over the past few days, we have seen a large number of ships cross the strait so far.” He added, “I expect energy prices to stabilize and decline, which will be, as I said, good for the entire world.”

Expressing similar optimism, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio confirmed “progress in talks with Iran to reopen the Strait of Hormuz.” He said, “There is hope for an announcement of an agreement on Hormuz in the near future.” Rubio added that “President Trump has been clear that Iran cannot obtain a nuclear weapon, and therefore the agreement is about ensuring that.”

He emphasized that the immediate agreement currently under focus concerns the Strait of Hormuz, noting that oil is currently passing through it, which means it is open. He mentioned that negotiations between Oman and Iran are discussing the safe passage of more ships through Hormuz, and that the US is engaged in those discussions and negotiations, confirming that “Oman-Iran negotiations on safe maritime transit coincide with our move toward extended talks on Iran’s nuclear program.”

Media outlets quoted several sources making statements in this direction. Al Arabiya channel reported that a senior source spoke of the imminent announcement of arrangements to fully reopen the Strait of Hormuz, affirming that communications among the parties involved had intensified in recent hours and achieved noticeable progress. The source said the announcement could be issued within the coming hours, clarifying that consultations are proceeding at a rapid pace to reach understandings that ensure the resumption of normal navigation in one of the world’s most important maritime corridors.

For its part, Reuters quoted an Iranian source as saying that Tehran seeks to control incoming maritime traffic through the strait and monitor outbound traffic, with the possibility of intervening if necessary, under a temporary plan being discussed with the Sultanate of Oman to reopen the waterway. According to the same source, the outbound navigation route will follow a path between Iran and Oman, with exit permits issued through Oman after notifying Tehran.

Bangladeshi captain stranded in the Gulf due to Strait of Hormuz closure recounts harrowing ordeal

Dhaka (AFP) – For 115 days, Bangladeshi captain Mohammad Shafiq Islam remained trapped in international waters in the Gulf, watching missiles light up the night sky and rationing food and drinking water for his crew. Islam, 51, told AFP after returning home following the tense episode, “I tried to stay composed because I was responsible for the lives of 31 people, a ship valued at $40 million, and a cargo worth $8.2 million.”

Islam was captain of the bulk carrier “Banglar Joyjatra,” which had arrived in the Gulf a month before the war between the United States, Israel, and Iran broke out in February, leading to a halt in navigation through the Strait of Hormuz. The vessel remained stuck in international Gulf waters for nearly four months.

Speaking to AFP in a phone call from his home in Comilla, eastern Bangladesh, Islam said, “We carried 39,000 tons of steel coils from the port of Mesaieed (in Qatar) and reached the outer boundary of Jebel Ali Port in the UAE on February 26.” He continued, “In the early hours of February 28, we saw a missile strike an oil storage facility just 200 meters away. The facility caught fire.”

The Bangladeshi ambassador to the UAE asked Islam to evacuate the ship, but the captain chose to stay aboard, hoping the situation would stabilize. However, explosions continued in the following days, and the ship’s navigation system stopped working.

Islam said, “After many years, I found myself relying on manual navigation again, searching for lighthouses to ensure we stayed on course.”

As the intensity of the attacks subsided somewhat after a few days, the ship discharged its cargo and was instructed to sail eastward through the Strait of Hormuz. However, the Iranian Revolutionary Guard refused to grant the vessel permission to pass within 25 nautical miles of the strait, a situation that repeated in the following days. As days passed, drinking water supplies dwindled and food ran low, prompting Islam to impose a rationing system.

He recounted, “I tried to keep them calm. Some spent the entire day reciting the Quran, while others passed the time on TikTok. All I wanted was for everyone to remain calm.”

Eventually, the “Joyjatra” received permission to cross the Strait of Hormuz on June 23, but the crew could only breathe a sigh of relief after successfully navigating the waterway.