Trump says Strait of Hormuz will be fully open on the 19th, and that Iran cannot have nuclear weapons

[Financial News]  

President Donald Trump said the Strait of Hormuz will be fully reopened on the 19th local time. He also stressed that Iran will not be allowed to possess nuclear weapons in the future.
Trump's remarks came as a large number of ships were reportedly waiting near the strait, with shipping companies still reluctant to resume navigation even though its reopening was included in the ceasefire agreement between the United States and Iran.
Trump made the comments in opening remarks during a bilateral meeting with French President Emmanuel Macron at the Group of Seven (G7) summit in the French resort town of Évian-les-Bains on the 15th.
He said both sides had signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) on the ceasefire, and that the strait would be fully opened on the 19th, when the signing ceremony is held.
Apparently mindful of criticism from both parties over why he went to war when nothing had changed, Trump emphasized, "The most important thing is that Iran will not have nuclear weapons." He said the war had completely eliminated Iran's nuclear weapons program and ensured it could not possess enriched uranium in the future.
"They fully agreed to this, with strong monitoring powers in place, and they will not have nuclear weapons," Trump said flatly.
Trump then highlighted the difference between his administration and that of former President Barack Obama.
He claimed that during the Obama administration, "they tried to buy off Iran to strike a nuclear deal, but it didn't work," adding, "That never works." Trump went on to say, "We have done a great job, and I hope we can maintain a good relationship and get along well."
Trump also said the contents of the MOU would "likely be made public" after the signing ceremony on the 19th, adding that it was "different from the terrible document from the Obama era."
He also said Vice President JD Vance would attend the signing ceremony in Geneva, Switzerland, on the 19th, adding that because of that, he could not be sure whether he would attend.
Meanwhile, Iran's Fars News Agency reported that the MOU between the two sides recognized Iran's right to collect transit fees for passage through the Strait of Hormuz.
Citing a source, Fars News Agency said the MOU included a provision stating that future management of maritime navigation services in the Strait of Hormuz would be decided by Iran and Oman, and reported that the United States had recognized Iran's right to collect fees.
However, Trump flatly said during his summit meeting with Macron that there would be no transit tolls, suggesting the two sides are likely to clash during the working-level negotiations ahead.

dympna@fnnews.com Song Kyung-jae Reporter