United States President Donald Trump has issued a fiery warning to Iran, threatening severe military action if the vital Strait of Hormuz is not reopened to international shipping without delay.
Speaking during an interview on Fox News while visiting California, Trump made it clear that Washington would not tolerate continued disruption along the critical maritime route, which serves as a global gateway for crude oil and natural gas shipments.
“The strait is going to be open very soon, or they are going to get hit very hard, and then the strait is going to be open,” Trump warned.
The threat comes as diplomatic representatives from the United States, Iran, and Oman work behind the scenes to finalize a temporary agreement designed to restore safe passage through the waterway. Despite his aggressive stance, Trump expressed optimism that diplomatic talks could yield immediate results.
“We are having very good discussions,” Trump stated, adding that Tehran appears eager to deescalate the military confrontation that started on February 28 following joint strikes launched by American and Israeli forces against Iranian targets.
“The only thing that matters is action. And they want to make a deal. We will see what happens. I have plenty of time.”
Later, while preparing to board Air Force One for a flight to Las Vegas, the American leader indicated that an official agreement could be finalized within days.
Under the proposed arrangement being brokered alongside Omani mediators, a sixty-day safety corridor would be established in the waterway separating Iran and Oman, with options for further extension.
The framework requires no payment of tolls by commercial ships. To ensure safe navigation, inbound traffic heading into the Persian Gulf will utilize a northern shipping lane, while outbound vessels will pass through a southern lane within Omani territorial waters.
