Iran accuses Trump of "theater diplomacy" as Strait of Hormuz traffic collapses

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5 days · 9 summary articles
Iran’s parliament speaker and chief negotiator, Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, accused U.S. President Donald Trump of “theater diplomacy” on Thursday, mocking Washington’s shifting stance on negotiations to end the five-month conflict. “‘Massive attack coming … wait, never mind, they want to negotiate.’ That’s theater diplomacy on loop,” Ghalibaf wrote on X, according to CNBC .
Trump, speaking in the Oval Office on Friday, claimed the Strait of Hormuz was “sort of open” and predicted the war with Iran would “end pretty soon.” He acknowledged Tehran could still “shoot things” or “drop a mine” but insisted the U.S. controlled the waterway. The president also denied ammunition shortages, calling reports of low stockpiles “treasonous” and threatening prison for leakers, The Independent reported .
Shipping data underscored the strait’s paralysis. Only two vessels transited the Strait of Hormuz on Wednesday, down from eight the day before, according to Kpler, against a pre-war average of 130–140 daily. Traffic through the Bab el-Mandeb fell to a single dry bulk carrier from 20 the prior day. Iran and Oman’s draft deal to manage the strait would bar U.S. and Israeli ships until compensation is paid for “damage” to Iran, with penalties of up to 20% of cargo value for violations, Fars news agency reported .
Iran has simultaneously warned Gulf states it would strike their oil, power, and water infrastructure unless they pressure Trump to halt U.S. attacks and return to negotiations. Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi delivered the message in calls with Saudi, Turkish, Qatari, and Pakistani officials, according to Japan Today. Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman subsequently urged Trump to delay military action and pursue a ceasefire .
Oil markets reacted as Brent crude rose $1.31 to $83.80 per barrel on Friday, per The Independent. Iran and Oman’s proposed agreement, now in “final stages,” would give Tehran control over ships entering the Gulf, one of the largest concessions yet to Iran, the outlet noted .
Saudi Arabia, meanwhile, braced for “multiple coordinated attacks” by Iran-backed Iraqi militias and Houthis, a Saudi official told CNN. The Houthis claimed responsibility for strikes on two Saudi oil tankers in the Gulf of Aden this week .
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