US President Donald Trump said on Saturday that peace talks between the United States and Iran had officially begun in Islamabad, even as he expressed uncertainty over their outcome and described Iran as a “failing nation”.
Speaking during an interaction with White House correspondent Kellie Meyer, Trump said he would assess Iran’s intentions soon but declined to comment on whether negotiations were progressing. “I’ll let you know that in a very short period of time,” he said, adding that he had “no idea” how talks were going.
Trump also claimed that large numbers of empty oil tankers were heading toward the United States to load American oil and gas, though he did not provide details about their origin or destination. The White House did not clarify the claim, and independent shipping data did not immediately confirm any such large-scale movement.
He said the tanker activity was not linked to the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, which Iran has largely blocked since the outbreak of conflict on February 28. Trump added that the route would reopen “in the not too distant future” and suggested that tankers were seeking alternative supply routes.
The talks, being led by US Vice President JD Vance, mark the highest-level engagement between the two countries since 1979. Reopening the Strait of Hormuz is a central issue in the negotiations, as the disruption has significantly impacted global oil supplies.
Before the conflict, around 100 to 120 commercial vessels passed through the strait daily. Since a ceasefire was announced on April 8, only two tankers have reportedly crossed, with Iran requiring vessels to obtain permission before transit.
Oil prices remain elevated compared to pre-conflict levels, reflecting ongoing uncertainty in global energy markets.