US President Donald Trump on Tuesday declared the Strait of Hormuz open for trade and said he will demand compensation from Iran for casualties in the war.
He made the announcement days after Tehran raised similar demands earlier this week, asking Washington to pay for war damages from the five-month conflict as a condition for reopening the Strait of Hormuz.
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei conveyed a message of unity during a recent seven-hour meeting.
Pezeshkian confirmed that Khamenei is in perfect health despite making no public appearances since taking power.
Despite Trump’s announcement, crude oil prices have climbed to week highs, with Brent crude futures trading at $87.81 a barrel as of 00:13 GMT, while US West Texas Intermediate futures held at $82.20 a barrel.
On Monday, prices climbed more than five per cent to their highest levels since July 31. The gains came after Trump responded to Iran’s conditions for a peace deal by demanding compensation for damages incurred by the US, dampening hopes for a negotiated settlement to end the war and reopen the Strait of Hormuz.
Meanwhile, more lawmakers are joining the anti-Iran war stance against the Trump government, with US Senator Chris Van Hollen demanding that Mike Huckabee, Washington’s ambassador to Israel, step down, accusing him of failing to protect American citizens and becoming a mouthpiece for the Israeli government.
“A US ambassador’s job is to protect & defend the citizens & interests of the United States.
@USAmbIsrael Mike Huckabee has failed to do so,” Van Hollen wrote on X.
“As violence consumes the West Bank & extremists call for a Greater Israel, he’s become a mouthpiece for the Israeli govt,” he said. “He should resign.”
Similar views were expressed by lawmaker Chuck Schumer, who in his post on X said, “Donald Trump got us into an illegal war, is losing his illegal war, and has no way out of his illegal war.”
“His lack of strategy, discipline, and any ability to seriously negotiate is endangering our troops and raising prices for everyday Americans,” he said.
“Trump’s leadership is a complete and total failure. We must end this war and begin to repair the damage he has wrought,” he added.
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