Gov. Gavin Newsom (D-CA) has slammed President Donald Trump‘s claims that the deal to reopen the Strait of Hormuz is close.
Newsom Says Strait of Hormuz Is Closed
Sharing an unverified TikTok video on the social media platform X, which showcased an influencer in a boat next to a container ship asking if the Strait of Hormuz was open or closed, Newsom’s official press office handle slammed Trump. “Take it from shipping container captains … the strait is closed — despite what Trump claims every other day,” the handle said.
UKMTO Reports Attack
Meanwhile, the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations Center on Wednesday said it received a late report about an incident that occurred approximately 10 miles Southeast of Kumzar, Oman, when the Master of a tanker reported hearing two explosions near the ship while traveling through the Strait of Hormuz.
The crew and the vessel are safe and accounted for, the UKMTO said, adding that no environmental damage was reported from the incident. The agency advised vessels to exercise caution.
Iran Pushes for Greater Control Over Strait Traffic
The comments come as Iranian officials reportedly seek a 5% to 7% toll on ships traveling through the waterway, while Oman says it wants to levy a 3% toll on the ships. However, officials in the region also denied backing Trump’s claims about an imminent deal over the Strait of Hormuz traffic.
Talks of a deal come as Trump called off strikes on Iran, a move that was hailed by the President’s former counterterrorism chief Joe Kent as a possible way to open up the Strait of Hormuz.
Meanwhile, Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baqaei had earlier said that any agreement reached with Oman on a new shipping route for vessels did not mean that the Strait of Hormuz would reopen.
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