Korean presidential office expresses cautious optimism on US-Iran deal

United States President Donald Trump stands in the octagon during UFC Freedom 250 at White House South Lawn, Monday. Reuters-Yonhap

ROME — The presidential office on Monday welcomed a ceasefire deal reached between the United States and Iran, but said it should wait and see whether the agreement could immediately lead to a reopening of the Strait of Hormuz.

A high-level presidential official made the remarks on condition of anonymity a day after U.S. President Donald Trump said a peace deal was reached to end the monthslong war with Iran.

"I hereby fully authorize the toll free opening of the Strait of Hormuz, and, simultaneously herewith, authorize the immediate removal of the United States Naval blockade," Trump wrote on social media.

"It is something we welcome," the Korean presidential official said, calling the agreement "progress in the right direction."

"It is, particularly, more meaningful to us in that the agreement included an opening of the Strait of Hormuz as part of it," the official noted.

But it remains to be seen whether the deal could facilitate an immediate reopening of the strait, the official also said, adding that further negotiations on nuclear issues could affect the ceasefire agreement.