Oil Tankers Exit Strait of Hormuz as Trump and Vance Signal Optimism on Iran Deal
Shipping data showed two Chinese oil tankers sailed out of the Strait of Hormuz on the 20th, a move seen as a glimmer of hope for resolving the US-Iran conflict after positive comments from President Trump and VP Vance. Trump stated the war could end "very quickly" a day after pausing planned hostilities following a new peace proposal from Tehran. However, he faces domestic pressure to reopen the strait amid high gas prices and has threatened new attacks if a deal is not reached.
📋 Article Processing Timeline
- 📰 Published: May 20, 2026 at 14:38
- 🔍 Collected: May 20, 2026 at 15:02 (24 min after Published)
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: May 20, 2026 at 15:20 (17 min after Collected)
(CNA, Singapore, May 20, Comprehensive Foreign Report) Shipping data showed that two Chinese oil tankers, fully loaded with oil, sailed out of the Strait of Hormuz today. This development has lit a glimmer of hope for a near-term resolution to the conflict involving the United States, Israel, and Iran, following positive comments from US President Trump and Vice President Vance.
President Trump stated yesterday that the war would end "very quickly," while Vice President JD Vance touted progress in negotiations with Tehran on an agreement to end hostilities.
"We are in a pretty good position right now," Vance said at a White House press conference.
Trump's comments came a day after he announced a pause on planned renewed hostilities, following a new proposal from Tehran aimed at ending the conflict.
"I was an hour away from doing it today," Trump told White House reporters yesterday.
He claimed that Iranian leaders were begging for a deal, but also threatened that the US would launch a new wave of attacks in the coming days if a consensus could not be reached.
The United States has struggled to end the war it launched with Israel nearly three months ago. During the conflict, Trump has repeatedly stated that a deal with Tehran was close, while also threatening to strike Iran fiercely if an agreement was not reached.
Trump faces immense domestic political pressure to secure a deal to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, a critical waterway for global oil and other commodity supplies. With the November congressional elections approaching, US gasoline prices remain high, and Trump's approval ratings have significantly dropped.
Speaking to reporters at the White House press conference, Vance acknowledged the difficulties of negotiating with a splintered Iranian leadership. He stated, "Sometimes the negotiating position of the team is not entirely clear," and thus the US is trying to clarify its own red lines.
He also stated that one of the goals of Trump's policy is to prevent a nuclear arms race from spreading in the Middle East.
Ebrahim Azizi, Chairman of the Iranian Parliament's National Security Committee, stated on the X platform that Trump paused the attacks because he realized that any action against Iran would be met with a "decisive military response."
Iranian state media reported that Tehran's latest peace proposal to the US includes an end to hostilities on all fronts, including Lebanon, the withdrawal of US forces from areas near Iran, and compensation for damages caused by the war.
President Trump stated yesterday that the war would end "very quickly," while Vice President JD Vance touted progress in negotiations with Tehran on an agreement to end hostilities.
"We are in a pretty good position right now," Vance said at a White House press conference.
Trump's comments came a day after he announced a pause on planned renewed hostilities, following a new proposal from Tehran aimed at ending the conflict.
"I was an hour away from doing it today," Trump told White House reporters yesterday.
He claimed that Iranian leaders were begging for a deal, but also threatened that the US would launch a new wave of attacks in the coming days if a consensus could not be reached.
The United States has struggled to end the war it launched with Israel nearly three months ago. During the conflict, Trump has repeatedly stated that a deal with Tehran was close, while also threatening to strike Iran fiercely if an agreement was not reached.
Trump faces immense domestic political pressure to secure a deal to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, a critical waterway for global oil and other commodity supplies. With the November congressional elections approaching, US gasoline prices remain high, and Trump's approval ratings have significantly dropped.
Speaking to reporters at the White House press conference, Vance acknowledged the difficulties of negotiating with a splintered Iranian leadership. He stated, "Sometimes the negotiating position of the team is not entirely clear," and thus the US is trying to clarify its own red lines.
He also stated that one of the goals of Trump's policy is to prevent a nuclear arms race from spreading in the Middle East.
Ebrahim Azizi, Chairman of the Iranian Parliament's National Security Committee, stated on the X platform that Trump paused the attacks because he realized that any action against Iran would be met with a "decisive military response."
Iranian state media reported that Tehran's latest peace proposal to the US includes an end to hostilities on all fronts, including Lebanon, the withdrawal of US forces from areas near Iran, and compensation for damages caused by the war.