PANews, May 24th. According to financial media reports, on the afternoon of May 23 Eastern Time, U.S. President Donald Trump posted on social media, stating that the United States and Iran have essentially reached an agreement. Trump said he had just spoken with the leaders of Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Qatar, Turkey, Egypt, Jordan, Bahrain, and the Chief of the Pakistan Army to discuss the Iranian issue and matters related to a “peace memorandum of understanding.” Trump stated that an agreement between the U.S. and Iran has been basically finalized, pending final approval from both sides and relevant Islamic countries. He also had a phone call with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. The final stages and details of the agreement are currently being discussed and will be announced soon. Trump added that, among other things in the agreement, the Strait of Hormuz will also be opened.
However, the Iranian side released a message stating that U.S. President Trump’s latest statement on social media about “the Strait of Hormuz will open” is “incomplete.” It is understood that, according to the latest exchanged text, even if an agreement is reached, the Strait of Hormuz will continue to be “managed” by Iran. Additionally, while Iran agrees to allow the number of ships passing through the Strait of Hormuz to return to pre-war levels, it does not mean the Strait will revert to its pre-war “free passage” status. The Iranian side emphasized that the management, route planning, timing and method of ship passage, and licensing rights over the Strait of Hormuz will remain fully under Iran’s control. Therefore, Trump’s related statement is neither complete nor accurate.
