Former U.S. President Donald Trump has issued stark new threats against Iran over the Strait of Hormuz, warning that Washington could seize control of the strategic waterway and imposing harsh consequences if Tehran follows through on reported plans to close it.
‘You Close the Strait and You Won’t Have a Country’
In a phone interview with Fox News, Trump said: “We could take over the Strait of Hormuz, if necessary.” He added that if negotiations fail, the U.S. would impose tolls on oil shipments passing through — reportedly seeking up to 20% of all petroleum transiting the strait.
Speaking directly about Iranian negotiators engaged in talks in Switzerland, Trump used blunt and profane language: “You close the Strait of Hormuz and you won’t have a country. You won’t even make it back to your f***ing country.”
Iranian Delegation Lodges Formal Protest
The remarks triggered an immediate response from Iran’s delegation in Switzerland. According to state-run Press TV, Tehran filed a formal protest with U.S. negotiators and is now assessing appropriate responses to what it described as “verbal threats” by Trump.
“The Iranian delegation has lodged a protest with the U.S. side and is now weighing options for an appropriate response to Donald Trump’s recent verbal threats,” Press TV reported.
Escalating Rhetoric Amid Ongoing Talks
Earlier on Truth Social, Trump accused Iran of enabling regional instability — particularly in Lebanon — and demanded that Tehran rein in its proxies immediately. He warned that failure to do so would prompt even tougher U.S. action: “We will hit Iran even harder.”
These comments come as indirect U.S.-Iran negotiations continue in Switzerland — efforts closely watched by the international community amid broader concerns over rising tensions across the Middle East.
Note: Iranian state media reported on Saturday that Tehran was considering closing the Strait of Hormuz, citing Israeli violations of the ceasefire in Lebanon and what it described as the U.S. failure to implement the first clause of a provisional agreement aimed at ending the war.