Washington:
US President Donald Trump on Friday thanked Pakistan and praised its leadership for facilitating diplomatic engagement, while sharply criticising NATO after Iran announced that the Strait of Hormuz had been reopened to commercial shipping.
Trump also expressed gratitude to Gulf nations including Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, and Qatar, praising what he described as their “bravery and help” during the recent regional standoff.
Trump Criticises NATO, Calls Alliance ‘Paper Tiger’
In a series of posts on Truth Social, Trump revealed that NATO had contacted Washington offering assistance following the easing of tensions around the Hormuz Strait. However, he dismissed the offer and criticised the military alliance.
“Now that the Hormuz Strait situation is over, I received a call from NATO asking if we would need some help. I told them to stay away, unless they just want to load up their ships with oil,” Trump wrote.
He went on to attack the alliance directly, describing it as ineffective during critical moments.
“Useless when needed, a Paper Tiger!” he added.
Trump Thanks Pakistan For Role In US-Iran Talks
Trump singled out Pakistan for special praise, acknowledging its role in hosting diplomatic talks between the United States and Iran.
“Thank you to Pakistan and its Great Prime Minister and Field Marshall, two fantastic people,” he said.
Pakistan had earlier hosted the first round of talks between Washington and Tehran aimed at reducing tensions and preventing further escalation in the Gulf region.
US Says Iran Removing Sea Mines
Trump also claimed that Iran, with assistance from the United States, had removed or was in the process of removing sea mines from the waters surrounding the Strait of Hormuz.
“The US President also noted that Iran, with the help of the USA has removed, or is removing, all sea mines!” the post stated.
This development follows Iran’s official announcement that the Strait of Hormuz had been reopened to commercial shipping, restoring access to one of the world’s most critical maritime trade routes.
Global Markets React As Shipping Resumes
Iranian officials confirmed that vessels would once again be allowed to pass through the strategic route, which carries a substantial portion of the world’s oil and natural gas supplies.
The reopening triggered an immediate reaction in global markets, with oil prices falling sharply amid expectations of restored energy flows and reduced geopolitical risk.
The Strait of Hormuz had emerged as a major flashpoint during the recent confrontation involving Iran, the United States, and Israel.
During the conflict, Tehran tightened control over maritime movement through the strait, prompting Washington to deploy military assets and later impose a blockade targeting Iranian ports while allowing general commercial traffic to continue.
Regional Tensions Remain Despite Hormuz Breakthrough
While Trump celebrated what he described as the end of the Hormuz crisis, regional tensions remain unresolved.
Diplomatic negotiations involving Iran, the United States, and regional mediators are still ongoing, while separate ceasefire efforts involving Hezbollah in Lebanon remain fragile.
Observers note that although the reopening of the Strait marks a significant step toward stability, the broader geopolitical situation in the Middle East continues to remain uncertain.