Speaking during a Cabinet meeting, Trump recounted how the development unfolded, after days of speculation about what exactly Iran had offered. Earlier in the week, reporters had pressed White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt for details, with some suggesting the gift might involve oil shipments. At the time, Leavitt declined to confirm those reports.
Trump ultimately chose to reveal the details himself when asked about the timeline for ongoing negotiations with Tehran. He framed the situation as one involving both diplomacy and the possibility of escalation, suggesting that significant consequences could still be on the table.
“Right now you’re talking about a deadline for doing some pretty big damage,” Trump said, while also emphasizing that “very substantial talks” are taking place with what he described as “the right people.”
The president then turned to his Middle East envoy, Steve Witkoff, asking whether he should disclose the so-called present. After Witkoff gave his approval, Trump explained that Iranian representatives had offered to send oil shipments as a sign of seriousness in negotiations.
“They said… we’re going to let you have eight boats of oil,” Trump said, describing the vessels as large tankers that would travel through the Strait of Hormuz. He noted that the initial offer was made just days earlier.
According to Trump, the situation became more concrete when he saw news coverage reporting that multiple oil tankers were moving through the strait. He referenced a Fox broadcast that described the activity as unusual, with eight large, fully loaded tankers traveling through the critical waterway.
“At that point, I said, well, I guess they were real,” Trump remarked, adding that he believed the ships were flying Pakistani flags. He took the movement of the tankers as confirmation that the offer was genuine and that negotiations were being conducted in good faith.
Trump also said the arrangement expanded beyond the initial offer. He claimed that after an apology from Iranian negotiators over an unspecified issue, the number of ships increased from eight to ten.
“I hope I haven’t screwed up your negotiations,” Trump said, acknowledging that publicly discussing the matter could complicate ongoing talks. Still, he suggested that revealing the gesture was appropriate after previously hinting at it.
The episode offers a glimpse into the unconventional and often unpredictable nature of diplomacy in the current environment. While the movement of oil tankers may signal a willingness to engage, it also highlights the delicate balance between negotiation and pressure.
As discussions continue, Trump’s comments reflect a strategy that blends public messaging with behind-the-scenes bargaining. Whether such gestures translate into lasting agreements remains uncertain, particularly in a region where tensions have escalated rapidly and where even small developments can carry outsized implications.
