The US government is allowing some oil tankers to pass through the Strait of Hormuz as a diplomatic gesture towards Iran. At the same time, the White House remains opposed to Iran’s attempt to establish toll booths on this important sea oil route, instead insisting on full openness.
On Monday, when asked about Iran allowing certain ships to pass through the Strait of Hormuz, White House spokesperson Karoline Leavitt stated, “That (Iran selectively allowing some ships to pass) is not a practice we support, and I don’t think they are cherry-picking.”
She explained that the current situation of ships passing through the strait, including the 10 ships announced by President Trump last week and another 10 expected to pass through in the coming days, is a result of direct and indirect negotiations between the United States and Iran.
Leavitt added that without the diplomatic work of the president and his team negotiating with Iran, “these oil tankers would not be passing through, and we expect all parties to continue to cooperate in the future.”
Since the outbreak of war, passage through the Strait of Hormuz has been severely hindered, leading to an increase in oil prices.
According to ship tracking data, two vessels owned by China’s Cosco Group passed through the Strait of Hormuz on Monday after being detained in the Persian Gulf for over a month following attempts to pass through the strait. Since the US and Israel launched a war on Iran, these two ships have been stranded.
Pakistan’s Foreign Minister Shaq Dar announced last Saturday that Iran had agreed to allow 20 vessels flying the Pakistani flag to pass through the Strait of Hormuz. Two ships will pass through the strait each day. Pakistan and other countries are mediating discussions between the US and Iran.
Two weeks ago, Iran reached an agreement with India to allow two oil tankers flying the Indian flag to pass through the Strait of Hormuz.
US Treasury Secretary Benson told Fox News’ “Fox & Friends” program on Monday that the oil market’s supply is in good shape, “We are seeing more and more ships passing through (the Strait of Hormuz) every day because countries have temporarily reached agreements with the Iranian regime.”
He further stated that any additional supply is helpful, “We want to return to normal.”