Dhaka, March 27 -- Donald Trump on Thursday said the "mystery present" he had mentioned earlier this week from Iran was in fact 10 oil-laden vessels allowed to pass through the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz.

Speaking at a Cabinet meeting at the White House, Trump said Tehran had permitted the ships to transit the strait as a goodwill gesture amid ongoing negotiations. He noted that some of the vessels were flying Pakistani flags.

"They said they would let eight big boats of oil pass to show they are serious. It ended up being 10 boats," Trump said, adding that the two additional vessels were sent as an apology for earlier remarks by Iranian officials.

Earlier on Tuesday, while speaking in the Oval Office, Trump had described the...