President Donald Trump has announced that formal peace negotiations with Iran have commenced, while also indicating that ships worldwide are en route to the United States to “stock up on oil.”

Highlighting America’s robust oil and gas production, Trump shared these insights during a phone conversation with NewsNation on Saturday morning, following a recent update on his Truth Social platform.

This development arises amid growing global concerns over the Strait of Hormuz, a crucial passageway for international energy supplies.

“Look across the vast oceans where many vessels are heading to the United States for oil, as we have an abundance of it,” Trump remarked in the interview.

The president emphasized that the surge in American oil activity isn’t primarily due to Iran’s blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, expressing optimism that the critical route will be reopened in the “near future.”

Taking a critical stance, Trump labeled Iran as a “failing nation.”

However, he also hinted at new strategic workarounds for the global oil trade that would bypass the troubled waters of the Middle East entirely.

‘I think people are seeing there are other alternatives to going through the Strait,’ Trump noted.

Vance waves hello upon his arrival for the US-Iran peace talks in Islamabad on April 11

Despite his long–standing skepticism of foreign intervention and initial doubts about targeting Iran, Vance has spent weeks quietly maneuvering to secure a permanent diplomatic agreement, according to two sources familiar with plans

Oil tankers and cargo ships line up in the Strait of Hormuz as seen from the United Arab Emirates. According to a Daily Mail/JL Partners flash poll of over 1,000 registered voters, the nation is split on whether the US should withdraw from NATO following the refusal of other member states to contribute military support for reopening the Strait of Hormuz

When pressed on whether diplomatic talks with Iran have officially started, Trump gave a definitive ‘yes.’ 

Asked if he feels the Iranians are acting in good faith during these high-stakes negotiations, Trump offered a cryptic but confident timeline for when the world will find out.

‘I’ll let you know that in a very short period of time, won’t take long,’ he said.

The call follows Trump’s latest Truth Social post highlighting US energy dominance as tensions in the Middle East continue to threaten global supply chains.

On Thursday, Trump blasted Tehran’s handling of the waterway, writing: ‘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!’

He specifically addressed reports that Iran has been attempting to extort tankers, warning: ‘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 concluded the post with a display of energy independence, stating: ‘You’ll see Oil start flowing, with or without the help of Iran and, to me, it makes no difference, either way.’

Tehran has said it needed a ‘definitive end to the conflict’, outlining its need for the ‘end to conflicts in the region, a protocol for safe passage through the Strait, reconstruction and the lifting of sanctions.’ 

A view of the vessels passing through Strait of Hormuz following the two-week temporary ceasefire reached between the United States and Iran on the condition that the strait be reopened

MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS OF PAKISTAN: US delegation including special envoy Steve Witkoff and President Donald Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner is welcomed by Ishak Dar, Pakistan Foreign Minister, and Asim Munir, the Chief of Army Staff of Pakistan, upon their arrival in Islamabad, Pakistan

Iran has claimed the United States has agreed to release billions in frozen assets, but the administration has swiftly denied any such move as JD Vance holds these high-stakes peace talks in Islamabad.

A senior Iranian source said the US had agreed to unfreeze funds held in Qatar and other foreign banks, describing it as a sign of Washington’s ‘seriousness’ in negotiations.

But a US official quickly rejected the claim, underlining the deep mistrust hanging over the talks.

Unfreezing the assets was also said to be directly linked to ensuring safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz.

According to Iranian state media, Tehran has already set out its ‘red lines’ for any deal, including guarantees over the Strait of Hormuz, the payment of war reparations, the release of blocked assets and a ceasefire across the wider region.