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President Trump revealed on Thursday that the “gift” from Iran, which he alluded to earlier in the week, involved the movement of ten oil-laden vessels through the Strait of Hormuz.
Speaking to reporters at the White House, Trump described the ongoing discussions with Iran as “very substantial” amidst the enduring tensions.
During these talks, Iran apparently communicated, “To demonstrate our sincerity and that we mean business, we’re allowing you access to eight oil ships,” according to Trump.
Trump recounted his initial reaction, noting, “I didn’t pay much attention until I saw the news reporting… ‘There are eight ships navigating right through the Hormuz Strait,’” which caught his interest.
Furthermore, he mentioned that as an act of contrition for a prior statement, Iran permitted an additional two ships.
The effective closure of the strait since the start of the war has sent oil and gasoline prices soaring. The channel, located near Iran, is a key shipping lane through which about 20 percent of the world’s oil usually travels.
The average U.S. gasoline price Thursday was about $3.98 per gallon, up about a dollar from a month ago, before the conflict began.
Trump has tried to downplay the impacts on fuel prices.
On Thursday, he said that during the war, “I thought the oil prices would go up more and I thought the stock market would go down more. It hasn’t been nearly as severe as I thought.”
On Tuesday, he had proclaimed that Iran “gave us a present” and that it was “a very big present worth a tremendous amount of money.”
He added that it was related to oil and gas but declined to say what exactly it was.
Sources close to the White House told Politico they were baffled by the remark.
Meanwhile, Iran has signaled that it would permit more ships to traverse the Strait. It said earlier this week that “non-hostile vessels” would be allowed to pass through.
Trump’s latest remarks come as he has touted what he describes as productive conversations with Iranian leaders.
Iran, meanwhile, has said that it is reviewing a U.S. plan to end the war, but has also indicated that it is not negotiating with the U.S.
Updated at 12:49 p.m. EDT