WASHINGTON, Mar 27 (V7N) – In a major de-escalation of the maritime blockade in the Persian Gulf, Iran has permitted 10 oil tankers to pass through the Strait of Hormuz. US President Donald Trump announced the development during a cabinet meeting on Thursday night, characterizing the move as a significant "sign of goodwill" amidst ongoing indirect peace talks. According to a report by Reuters, the President highlighted that the release of these vessels—all of which are Pakistani-flagged—indicates a potential softening of Tehran's stance following weeks of high-tension military confrontation.

The maneuver involved an initial release of eight large oil tankers, followed shortly by two additional vessels. Tehran has officially stated that the move was intended to "prove its sincerity" regarding the 15-point peace proposal currently being mediated by Islamabad, Ankara, and Cairo. The choice of Pakistani-flagged vessels is seen by analysts as a strategic nod to Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar’s ongoing role as a diplomatic bridge between Washington and Tehran.

During the cabinet session, President Trump also revisited his claim from earlier this week, asserting that the Iranian leadership had sent him "expensive gifts" as part of their diplomatic outreach. While he declined to reveal the nature of these gifts or display them publicly, he used the anecdote to reinforce his narrative that the "maximum pressure" campaign is yielding results. "They want to talk, and they want to make a deal," Trump told reporters, adding that the reopening of the Strait for these specific vessels is a "first step" toward restoring global energy flow.

Despite this gesture, the U.S. Navy's Fifth Fleet remains on high alert in the region. While the 10 tankers have been granted safe passage, hundreds of other international vessels remain stuck or diverted due to the wider blockade. Marine insurance premiums for the region continue to fluctuate as traders wait to see if this "goodwill" extends to non-Pakistani vessels in the coming days.

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