Trump Says Iran Let 10 Oil Tankers Pass Through Strait as a “Present”

At a White House cabinet meeting on Thursday, U.S. President Donald Trump claimed Iran had allowed 10 oil tankers to pass through the Strait of Hormuz as a “present” in ongoing negotiations.

Trump told reporters the gesture was proof Iran was serious about striking a deal, even describing the tankers as “worth a tremendous amount of money”. He added that the tankers appeared to be flying Pakistani flags. Notably, Pakistan and Iran maintain friendly relations, and it was Pakistan that recently delivered a 15‑point peace plan to Iran on the U.S.’s behalf.

Later that day, Trump posted to Truth Social, announcing an extension to the pause in planned strikes on Iranian energy facilities. “As per Iranian Government request, please let this statement serve to represent that I am pausing the period of Energy Plant destruction by 10 Days to Monday, April 6, 2026, at 8 P.M.” he wrote.

However, Iran’s semi-official Fars news agency quickly rejected Trump’s claims, insisting the strait remains closed and warning that any unauthorised passage would be met with force.

“Movement of any ship to and from ports of places that are allied with Israeli and American enemies is prohibited regardless of destination,” the report said, citing Iran’s navy.

Adding to this, reports indicate that at least three ships were turned away from the strait on Friday morning.