Trump Proposes Joint US-Iran Control Over Strait of Hormuz

Former US President Donald Trump has suggested that the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz could be "opened very soon" if ongoing diplomatic talks with Iran prove successful. He further proposed that control over the waterway could be shared.

When asked by reporters whether Iran would retain sole control of the strait—a critical global oil shipping lane—Trump responded that it would be "jointly controlled." Pressed to specify by whom, he stated, "Possibly by me—me and the ayatollah, whoever the ayatollah is, whoever the next ayatollah is."

Trump also claimed a "very serious form of regime change" is occurring within Iran. He described dealing with individuals he considers "very reasonable, very reliable," adding, "The people inside know who they are. They are highly respected, and perhaps one of them will be exactly what we are looking for."

The former president confirmed that Washington and Tehran have held "very strong talks," which are set to continue via telephone. He revealed that US Special Envoy Stephen Whitkoff and his son-in-law Jared Kushner are leading negotiations on the American side, engaging with a "high-ranking person" in Iran whose identity he declined to disclose but clarified was not the country's Supreme Leader.

Earlier, Trump had characterized recent discussions over a two-day period as "very good and productive," aimed at achieving a complete and final settlement of differences in the Middle East.