Trump blasts Iran's 'poor' handling of oil flow through Hormuz: 'Not the agreement we have'

WASHINGTON, DC: Days after announcing a two-week ceasefire agreement between the US and Iran, which hinges largely on the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, President Donald Trump has accused Tehran of not adhering to the terms of the truce.

Trump on Tuesday, April 7, announced a two-week ceasefire, agreeing to suspend the planned strikes on Iran following a 10-point peace proposal from Tehran, which he defined as a "workable basis."

Trump indicates Iran is not living up to ceasefire agreement

However, sharing a post on Truth Social on Thursday, Trump accused Iran of not following the terms of the ceasefire agreement in the Strait of Hormuz, a key waterway that holds nearly 20% of global oil shipping.

Trump said that Tehran was doing a “very poor” and “dishonorable” job in the Strait of Hormuz.

“Iran is doing a very poor job, dishonorable some would say, of allowing Oil to go through the Strait of Hormuz. That is not the agreement we have!” the commander-in-chief wrote.

Trump warns Iran against charging tolls from ships

The comment came as the tensions are flaring on both sides after Israel’s attack on Lebanon on Wednesday, amid the fragile ceasefire agreement.  

Trump, in another post, had said that Iran “better not be” charging toll from the ships crossing the Strait of Hormuz, and if it is, then the country should stop that “now”.

“There are reports that Iran is charging fees to tankers going through the Hormuz Strait — They better not be and, if they are, they better stop now!” Trump wrote on Truth Social.

A key trade logistic waterway, the Strait of Hormuz, which links the Persian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman and is situated on the coast of Iran, was effectively closed, triggering a surge in oil and gas prices amid growing concerns over supply disruptions.

Trump said this week that the ceasefire between the two countries would be contingent on the reopening of the strait.

Iran reportedly planning to charge ships passing Hormuz in crypto 

A senior Iranian official told Reuters on Wednesday that Tehran could open the Strait of Hormuz in a way that is “limited and under Iran’s control.” A key meeting between US officials and Iranian representatives on ceasefire talks is scheduled in Pakistan on Saturday.

On the other hand, a spokesperson for the Iranian Oil, Gas and Petrochemical Products Exporters’ Union, which works with Iran’s government, told the Financial Times that Iran will charge ships crossing the strait with a toll of $1 per barrel of oil in cryptocurrency.

After Trump announced the ceasefire on Tuesday, he proposed a joint venture with Iran to manage shipping through the Strait of Hormuz.