Trump Hails Victory, Iran Reopens Strait

0:00On April 18th, President Trump is boasting big-time, asking if Americans are sick of winning after Iran declared the straight-of-for-moves completely open. A convoy of oil tankers just passed through safely, carrying oil, gas, and chemicals, marking a key win in the tensions. Trump called it a great victory and set the dispute over this vital shipping lane is over. Iran's move came amid a two-week ceasefire, but Tehran warned it'll shut the straight again unless the U.S. ends its blockade on Iranian ports. Trump insists that blockade stays until a full peace deal is 100% done, and he's claiming Iran agreed never to block the route again, though they dispute that. Folks are reacting strong. Trump ripped into NATO allies like the UK and France, calling them paper tigers and telling them to stay away after they offered warships to patrol the strait. Still, Britain's ambassadors stressed a strong military push alongside France to keep things secure, calling the U.S. U.K. bond pragmatic and forward-looking.

1:03New details show Lebanon's ceasefire with Israel and Hezbollah was crucial, clearing confusion and letting Iran open the strait. Tehran also partially reopened its airspace for international flights over the east, with some airports back online at 7 a.m. local time. Just lifted on the news, optimism's building in DC for a broader deal very close at hand, but with threats lingering, the strait's passage stays on. A knife's edge, watch this space as talks push forward.