US President Donald Trump claimed on Sunday that Iran is sending 20 oil tankers to the United States through the Strait of Hormuz, starting Monday morning. He described the shipment as a “sign of respect” from Tehran and said it demonstrates progress in ongoing negotiations.
Speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One en route to Washington, Trump said the US is negotiating with Iran both directly and indirectly. He expressed cautious optimism about a potential agreement, noting, “I do see a deal in Iran… it could be soon,” while acknowledging that a deal is not guaranteed.
Trump highlighted that Iran’s new leadership has been “very reasonable,” describing the group as different from previous officials and emphasizing that talks are “weeks ahead of schedule.” On the possibility of military action, he said the US has “lots of alternatives” and is not reliant on ground troops.
Regarding a proposed 15-point US plan to end the conflict, Trump said Iran accepted most points, and the oil shipments serve as proof of Tehran’s seriousness. He stressed the scale of the delivery, calling them “big, big boats of oil” transiting the strategic waterway.
The announcement comes amid ongoing regional tensions, as both Washington and Tehran explore diplomatic solutions while maintaining leverage through military and economic options. Trump’s remarks signal the administration’s focus on negotiations while keeping contingency plans ready.
