U.S. President Donald Trump on Friday expressed gratitude to Pakistan for its role in facilitating ongoing U.S.-Iran engagement, as a series of developments signaled potential progress toward easing regional tensions and addressing Iran’s nuclear program.
In a post on Truth Social, Trump thanked Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Chief of Army Staff Field Marshal Asim Munir, describing them as “fantastic people” and acknowledging Pakistan’s role in mediating discussions.
— Views&News (@ViewsNewsMag) April 17, 2026
Trump also indicated on Thursday he may visit Pakistan if upcoming talks between Washington and Tehran yield progress. A second round of negotiations is expected to take place in Islamabad, though no official schedule has been confirmed.
Strait of Hormuz and Maritime Security
Trump said Iran has agreed to “never close the Strait of Hormuz again,” calling the waterway’s continued openness critical to global energy markets.
In line with the ceasefire in Lebanon, the passage for all commercial vessels through Strait of Hormuz is declared completely open for the remaining period of ceasefire, on the coordinated route as already announced by Ports and Maritime Organisation of the Islamic Rep. of Iran.
— Seyed Abbas Araghchi (@araghchi) April 17, 2026
The claim has not been independently verified by Iranian authorities.
In a separate post, Trump stated that Iran, “with the help of the U.S.A.,” has removed or is in the process of removing sea mines in the region. No additional details were provided.
Israel-Lebanon Tensions
The U.S. president also asserted that Israel would no longer carry out attacks on Lebanon, saying such actions had been “prohibited” by the United States.
He added that Washington would engage separately with Lebanon to address issues related to Hezbollah “in an appropriate manner.”
There has been no immediate confirmation from Israeli or Lebanese officials regarding these claims.
Nuclear Issue and Financial Terms
Trump reiterated that any agreement with Iran would not involve financial incentives, stating that the United States would secure all nuclear-related materials without “money exchang[ing] hands in any way, shape or form.”
The remarks follow a report by Axios that the U.S. had considered a potential $20 billion arrangement tied to Iran’s uranium program, which the administration has not publicly confirmed.
Iran’s Position on Ceasefire Scope
Meanwhile, Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Saeed Khatibzadeh said any ceasefire arrangement should extend beyond isolated fronts to include multiple conflict zones “from Lebanon to the Red Sea,” according to remarks reported by Anadolu Agency.
NATO and Broader Security Dynamics
Trump also dismissed NATO’s offer of assistance in securing the Strait of Hormuz, saying he told the alliance to “stay away” unless it intended to assist with oil transport. He criticized NATO as “useless when needed” and described it as a “paper tiger.”
Taken together, the developments highlight ongoing diplomatic efforts to stabilize key maritime routes, reduce regional hostilities, and address Iran’s nuclear activities.
However, many of the claims—particularly those related to security arrangements and Iranian commitments—await confirmation, underscoring the tentative nature of the current diplomatic momentum.
Kiran Asim is a writer who covers the U.S., Europe, South Asia, and the Middle East. Her reports and analyses look at the geostrategic issues and contemporary developments and their economic and political implications. She also writes about society and education.
Muhammad Luqman is Associate Editor at Views News Now. He writes on wide-ranging issues including economy, South Asia, the Middle East, agriculture, economy and innovation. Luqman has worked some of the leading news organizations and won acclaim for his original and research-based works.
