Trump appears to have conceded the Strait of Hormuz will not open soon

A senior White House official disclosed that Trump appears to have conceded the Strait of Hormuz is unlikely to completely reopen soon.

The vital global oil chokepoint remains effectively shut despite a fragile ceasefire.

This marks an apparent U.S. retreat from demands for full and immediate unrestricted access to the strategic waterway.

The concession surfaces as Vice President Vance arrives in Islamabad Saturday for face-to-face talks with Iranian officials.

Vance is joined by Jared Kushner and special envoy Steve Witkoff.

Iran sends Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi and parliamentary Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf.

Tehran views Vance as one of the most anti-war figures in Trump’s inner circle and the most likely to seek a deal in good faith.

Trump had posted Thursday on social media that oil would be flowing again quickly through the strait without elaborating.

Yet private conversations with advisers reflect a far more skeptical assessment from the president.

The high-stakes negotiations seek an off-ramp from an unpopular war ahead of November midterm elections.

Positions remain miles apart on uranium enrichment and sanctions relief.