US President Donald Trump said that Washington was talking to Iran, as his administration imposed sanctions on eight Canadian businesses accused of helping Tehran move money through cryptocurrency networks. “We're talking to Iran. We have been,” Trump told reporters before departing the White House.

The president portrayed the military situation as favourable to the United States and said the Strait of Hormuz was opening. “We've beaten Iran. We are doing very well with Iran,” he said. Asked for his message to Iran, Trump combined his claim of military success with an indication that diplomatic contacts were continuing.