Washington, April 18 : President Donald Trump said Iran had agreed to reopen a critical global shipping route while warning that US military pressure would continue until a broader agreement is finalised.

Addressing a Turning Point USA gathering in Arizona, Trump said the Strait of Hormuz was â??fully open and ready for business and full passage,â?? signalling a potential easing of tensions in one of the worldâ??s most sensitive energy corridors.

At the same time, he made clear that US forces would maintain a strong presence. â??The naval blockadeâ?¦ will remain in full force and effect as it pertains to Iran until such time as our transaction with Iran is 100 per cent complete and fully signed,â?? he said.

Trump projected confidence in ongoing negotiations. â??This process is getting along wellâ?¦ most of the points are already negotiated and agreed to,â?? he said, adding that the outcome would ensure that â??Iranâ?¦ will never have a nuclear weapon.â??

In his speech Trump indicated his plans for recovering what he called â??nuclear dust,â?? referring to residue from earlier US strikes in Iran. â??Weâ??re going to get itâ?¦ weâ??re going to take it back home to the USA,â?? he said, suggesting joint operations involving excavation.

Trump linked the developments to broader regional diplomacy, claiming that recent US efforts had stabilised tensions beyond Iran. He said there had been â??an unprecedented ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon,â?? adding that the development had not occurred â??in 78 years.â??

He thanked several countries for their role in regional engagement. â??I want to thank the country of Pakistanâ?¦ and its great field marshalâ?¦ I also want to thank Saudi Arabia, Qatar, UAE, Bahrain, Kuwaitâ?¦ theyâ??ve all helped tremendously,â?? he said.

Trump sharply criticised US allies in Europe, arguing that Washington should rely less on traditional partnerships. â??They were absolutely useless when we needed them,â?? he said, referring to NATO, while asserting that â??we have to rely on ourselves.â??

Trump said the US had built â??the greatest military the world has ever seenâ?? and emphasised self-reliance in future engagements.

He also portrayed himself as a global dealmaker, claiming credit for ending multiple conflicts. â??I ended eight wars,â?? he said, adding that further agreements could increase that number. â??If we add Iran and Lebanon, that will be ten wars ended,â?? he said.

/IANS