Washington Post: First phase of Hormuz Strait reopening involves lifting US blockade

Phase one of the Hormuz Strait reopening will include the lifting of the US blockade, according to a Washington Post report on Monday (25/5), citing an Iranian official. ‘An Iranian official, speaking on condition of anonymity, stated that the strait’s reopening would be phased,’ the report said. The report also stated that in the first phase, the US would unfreeze $12 billion of Iranian assets (US$1 = Rp17,743), begin mine clearance in the strait, and lift the US blockade. The memorandum of understanding (MoU) between the two sides does not include a nuclear agreement, but merely a commitment to negotiate nuclear issues at a later date, according to the Iranian official’s statement. However, the report also cited a senior US official stating that the MoU ‘binds’ Iran to not possessing nuclear weapons, including ‘surrendering nuclear materials’. On the same day, US President Donald Trump wrote on his Truth Social account that negotiations with Iran were ‘going smoothly’. ‘The deal will either be a good one for all parties or no deal at all. Back to the frontlines of combat and shooting, but bigger and stronger than before. And nobody wants that!’ Trump said. Earlier on the same day, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio told reporters, ‘We have what I consider a solid agreement on the table regarding their ability to open the strait, ensure it remains open, enter into concrete, significant, time-bound negotiations on nuclear issues, and hopefully achieve it.’