White House appears to walk back from Trump desire to impose tolls on ships in Hormuz

White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt appears to walk back US President Donald Trump’s comments expressing interest in charging tolls for passage through the Strait of Hormuz.

“It’s something that the president has floated, but the immediate priority of the president is the reopening of the strait without any limitations, whether in the form of tolls or otherwise,” Leavitt says during a press briefing.

She also confirms China’s involvement in the negotiations yesterday that resulted in a two-week ceasefire. “There were conversations that took place between top levels of our government and China’s government. The president has great respect for President Xi and a great working relationship with him and with that country. He looks forward to visiting China in just a few weeks.”

Leavitt is asked about Trump’s claim earlier today that Iran will “dig up” its stockpiles of highly-enriched uranium and whether that is something Tehran has actually agreed to do.

“This is on the top of the priority list for the president and his negotiating team as they head into these next round of discussions,” Leavitt responds.

She is pressed again on whether Iran has actually indicated that it is prepared to hand over the uranium stockpiles, and Leavitt responds, “They have.”

Leavitt delivered another sharp rebuke of NATO allies, echoing Trump’s sentiment that they “failed” during the crisis.

“It’s quite sad that NATO turned their backs on the American people over the course of the last six weeks,” Leavitt says, adding that the issue will be discussed later today during Trump’s meeting with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte.