-- US President Donald Trump said Friday that gasoline and oil prices are expected to tumble once the conflict in Iran ends.
"When this war ends, gasoline and oil and everything is going to come tumbling down," Trump said.
Trump made the remarks during a press briefing, addressing reporters on ongoing US-Iran negotiations.
"When the war ends, gasoline prices are going to tumble because there is so much right now on the scene already loaded into tankers, tankers that can't escape the Strait," Trump said, adding that gasoline prices are likely to fall to record lows.
The US President described the US naval blockade as "unbelievable."
"The blockade has been unbelievable, powerful, 100% it's been actually unbelievable. If we left right now, we had a great victory, but we're not doing that, negotiating with them," Trump said.
On mediation efforts, Trump said Pakistan had advanced, but an imminent deal remains uncertain.
"They [Pakistan] continue to work with us, but the trip is a very long one, and we're doing everything in terms of negotiation right now in terms of the negotiation, telephonically, they've made strides, but I'm not sure if they ever get there," he said.
On the current situation in Iran, Trump said the country's leadership was "disjointed."
"There's tremendous discord... they're having a tremendous problem getting along with each other... it's a very disjointed leadership," Trump said, describing the challenges facing negotiations.
He added that Iran wanted to make a deal, but a fragmented leadership was hurting prospects. He said Iran's leadership spans "two to three groups, maybe four," underscoring divisions that hinder a unified agreement.
Iran reportedly sent a new proposal through Pakistan on Thursday.
Iran Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said Tehran remains open to diplomacy if the US changes what he called its "expansionist approach" and "threatening rhetoric," according to an official Telegram post.
He said Iran stands ready to pursue talks if Washington adjusts its stance, while warning that Iranian forces remain fully prepared to respond decisively to any threat or aggression.
The US-Iran conflict, which has nearly closed the Strait of Hormuz and curtailed traffic, has entered its third month, while Pakistan-mediated talks failed initially, though remote communication between the sides continues.
Brent crude fell 2.2% to $108.01 per barrel, while West Texas Intermediate declined 3.1% to $101.87, reflecting continued pressure amid geopolitical uncertainty and ongoing US-Iran tensions.