During an impromptu press session at Palm Beach International Airport, President Donald Trump proposed a novel idea of shared governance over the Strait of Hormuz, a crucial maritime passage. As he prepared to leave Florida after a weekend at Mar-a-Lago, Trump fielded a question from CNN’s Kaitlan Collins about the current oversight of the strait. He indicated that if the anticipated agreement with Iran comes to fruition, the strait would soon be accessible, suggesting it would be under “joint control.”
Pressed on who would share this control, Trump quipped, “maybe me, maybe me,” hinting at a collaboration with Iran’s leadership. “Me and the ayatollah, whoever the ayatollah is, whoever the next ayatollah [is],” he added. Trump opined that any new leadership in Iran would inherently signify a “regime change.” Recently, Mojtaba Khamenei was appointed the new Supreme Leader of Iran following the death of his father, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, amid U.S. and Israeli military actions.
Trump says US Not Negotiating with Khamenei
However, Trump clarified that Mojtaba Khamenei is not involved in current U.S. negotiations. “We have not heard from the son,” he remarked, expressing uncertainty about Khamenei’s status. Instead, Trump mentioned ongoing discussions with an unnamed but “very respected” individual in Iran. “We’re dealing with some people that I find very reasonable, very solid,” Trump stated, emphasizing their potential to meet U.S. expectations. He compared the situation to the U.S.’s handling of Venezuela, where, after capturing Nicolás Maduro in January, the Trump administration left Delcy Rodríguez, Maduro’s deputy, in control.
Axios reported Monday that Trump’s envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner were in touch with the speaker of the Iranian parliament, Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, according to an Israeli source. Trump hasn’t identified the Iranian official talking to the US, for fear it would get him killed. ‘We are dealing with a man that I believe is the most respected,’ Trump said. The Israeli source also told Axios that mediating countries were trying to convene a meeting this week in Islamabad, Pakistan, with Ghalibaf and other officials representing the Iranians. Witkoff, Kushner and possibly Vice President JD Vance would represent the American side, the source told Axios.
Trump’s Comments Mark Change in Tone
The President’s comments Monday morning marked a notable change in tone from the threat he made on Truth Social Saturday night, saying he would start striking Iranian power plants if the country didn’t open the Strait of Hormuz. He called that threat off Monday morning due to the progress made with negotiations. The Saturday night threat to blow up Iranian power plants over the Strait of Hormuz also marked a departure from how he said he viewed the issue Friday when departing the White House. Trump shrugged off Iran’s chokehold on the Strait, saying the US didn’t ‘use’ it. ‘We don’t use the Strait,’ he said. ‘The United States, we don’t need it. Europe needs it. Korea, Japan, China, a lot of other people.’ ‘So, they’ll have to get involved a little bit on that one,’ Trump said.
