Washington (Web Desk): US President Donald Trump has announced that the blockade on the Strait of Hormuz has been lifted.
In his remarks, Trump said that maritime restrictions in the strategic waterway have been removed, allowing US vessels to begin the process of returning home.
He added that Iran must agree never to acquire nuclear weapons, stressing that the Strait of Hormuz should be fully opened without any tolls or restrictions to ensure uninterrupted shipping.
Trump also claimed that Iranian nuclear material is buried deep under destroyed mountain structures as a result of previous US military action involving B-2 bombers, adding that the United States would work to extract and eliminate it.
According to him, the process would involve technical capabilities available to both the United States and China, and would be carried out in coordination with Iran and the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).
The US president further said that several less significant issues have already been agreed upon, while he is currently holding a meeting in the Situation Room to take a final decision on the matter.
Trump also stated that all underwater mines in the Strait of Hormuz would be cleared, adding that the US has already destroyed several mines using its mine-sweeping systems, while Iran would be required to remove or disable the remaining ones.