Trump Authorizes Opening of Strait of Hormuz After Preliminary Iran Deal

President Trump stated that a preliminary peace deal with Iran is complete and would open the Strait of Hormuz while ending the U.S. naval blockade. The announcement came after electronic signatures on a memorandum of understanding on Sunday. The deal would reopen the Strait of Hormuz, through which about 20 percent of the world’s supply of oil flows.

It pushes the issue of Iran’s nuclear program to further negotiations over the next 60 days.

Trump and Vice President Vance electronically signed the memorandum of understanding with Iran on Sunday. Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf, speaker of the Iranian Parliament, signed the memorandum for the Iranian side. Administration officials said President Trump stated later the same day that the details would come out after Friday’s signing.

The U.S. naval blockade of Iranian ports remains in effect pending execution of the ceasefire deal set to be signed Friday.

The U.S. blockade was imposed in retaliation for Tehran closing the Strait of Hormuz. The U.S. and Israel began the war with Iran at the end of February over Iran’s nuclear program. The war has led to shelling in multiple Gulf states as well as Israel and Lebanon.

" — military advisory Thune urged the administration to send senior officials to Capitol Hill to brief lawmakers on the deal details.