Trump Demands Strait of Hormuz Opened as Iran Discusses Shipping Control

JAKARTA, KOMPAS.com – U.S. President Donald Trump has reiterated the key condition for discussing an extension of the ceasefire with Iran. Trump demands the Strait of Hormuz be opened for international shipping without tariffs or restrictions. In a post on Truth Social on Friday, 29 May 2026, Trump stated he would soon make a final decision on whether to extend the current ceasefire agreement with Iran. In the same post, Trump reiterated several ‘red lines’ set by Washington, including the Strait of Hormuz, the world’s most critical energy shipping route. ‘The Strait of Hormuz must be opened immediately, without tariffs, for unrestricted two-way shipping,’ Trump wrote, as quoted by Yahoo Finance on Saturday, 30 May 2026. He added that sea mines would be cleared and ships stranded due to the conflict could return home. However, these demands clash with signals from Iran indicating Tehran is unwilling to relinquish its long-term ambitions to control shipping traffic in the Strait of Hormuz. Before the conflict erupted, around 20% of global oil trade passed through the narrow waterway connecting the Persian Gulf to the Arabian Sea. Notably, Araghchi’s post appeared almost exactly one hour before Trump’s statement was published. In his statement, Araghchi said the two countries on either side of the Strait of Hormuz were discussing regional developments, including the future management of the shipping route. ‘We are discussing Hormuz and its future management in line with our sovereign responsibilities and international law,’ Araghchi wrote. The statement is seen as a follow-up to last week’s report that Iran and Oman had discussed the possibility of a long-term toll system for vessels passing through the Strait of Hormuz. The statement is believed to reference Trump’s comments in this week’s US cabinet meeting where he said, ‘Oman will act like everyone else, or we will destroy it.’