President Trump said he has negotiated an agreement that would keep a critical shipping lane free of tolls, asserting the terms will protect international commerce flowing through the waterway.
In remarks to The New York Times, Trump characterized the arrangement as permanent, suggesting the deal addresses longstanding concerns about control of the passage and its strategic importance to global trade.
The president used the same conversation to offer his views on major world leaders. He spoke positively of Russia and China's top officials while offering a harsher assessment of Israel's prime minister, whom he called "a very difficult guy."
The comments reflect Trump's broader approach to diplomatic relations, mixing praise with criticism across allied and rival nations. His characterization of the Israeli leader stands out given the typically strong U.S.-Israel relationship, suggesting tension in those discussions.
The toll-free strait agreement, if formalized, would represent a significant diplomatic achievement on an issue that has drawn international attention. Control over major shipping routes remains a point of tension in Middle East geopolitics, with various powers seeking influence over commerce and security in the region.
Trump's invocation of a deal with Iran signals a shift from his previous "maximum pressure" approach, though details on the agreement's scope, enforcement mechanisms, and timeline remain unclear from his initial remarks.
Author Sarah Mitchell: "Trump's sudden pivot on Iran and his blunt assessment of Netanyahu suggest we're seeing a significant recalibration of his foreign policy priorities, though whether these deals hold up beyond the announcement is another question entirely."
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