Kamal Ghorui
US President Donald Trump reacted to a social media post suggesting that a “wave of empty tankers” is heading towards the United States to collect crude oil. Sharing the post on Truth Social on Saturday, Trump wrote, “Great!!!”The post, by oil market researcher Rory Johnston, read, “Very cool seeing the wave of empty tankers heading to the US to pick up some desperately needed crude for Hormuz-starved markets.” It further added, “All the tankers on the map below are empty VLCCs (~2 million barrel capacity each) currently heading for the US Gulf Coast.”Another user commented that US exports are about to boom.Trump’s remark comes shortly after he asserted that the Strait of Hormuz would be opened “with or without Iran,” ahead of high-level talks between the United States and Iran scheduled to take place in Islamabad.Previously too, the US president had suggested that countries facing fuel shortages during the ongoing conflict with Iran should either turn to the United States for oil or take independent steps to secure supplies. “To those countries that can’t get fuel, many of which refused to get involved in the decapitation of Iran, I have a suggestion: Number 1, buy oil from the United States. And Number 2, build up some delayed courage, go to the Strait, and just take it, protect it. Iran has been, essentially, decimated. The hard part is done, so it should be easy.”Meanwhile, the latest developments come against the backdrop of ongoing geopolitical tensions, with delegations from both countries set to meet in Pakistan.“I wish him luck… They (Iran) are militarily defeated, and now we are going to open up the Gulf, with or without them,” Trump told reporters ahead of the talks, referring to Vice President JD Vance, who is leading the American delegation and has reportedly opposed a military campaign against Iran.Vance is accompanied by special envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, the president’s son-in-law. The Iranian delegation is being led by foreign minister Abbas Araghchi and parliamentary speaker MD Ghalibaf.Trump also said he would not allow Tehran to impose transit charges on vessels passing through the Strait. “No, we are not going to allow that, it’s international waters. If they are doing that, we are not going to let that happen,” he said.Tehran has effectively blockaded the Strait of Hormuz, a key maritime corridor between the Persian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman, in response to US-Israeli strikes on February 28 that triggered the current Middle East conflict. Around 20% of the world’s crude oil supply passes through the route, highlighting its global strategic importance.
