United States President Donald Trump has warned Iran that it must move quickly to reopen the strategic Strait of Hormuz, saying ongoing negotiations could produce a breakthrough as early as Wednesday, while cautioning that Tehran would face severe military consequences if talks collapse.
Speaking on Tuesday, Trump expressed optimism that discussions involving Iran and regional mediators were making progress, saying the vital waterway could soon be reopened to international shipping. However, he maintained a firm stance, declaring that Iran would be “hit very hard” if it withdrew from negotiations or failed to honour any agreement reached.
The Strait of Hormuz is one of the world’s most important maritime routes, with roughly one-fifth of global oil supplies passing through the narrow channel linking the Persian Gulf to the Gulf of Oman. The disruption of shipping through the strait has fuelled volatility in global energy markets and heightened fears of a broader regional conflict.
Trump said negotiations involving Iran and Oman had made significant progress and suggested an agreement to restore commercial navigation could be announced within days. Nevertheless, he stressed that the United States was prepared to act if diplomacy failed.
“We’re going to have the strait open very soon, or they’re going to get hit very hard,” Trump said, adding that Iran understood the consequences of abandoning the talks.
Despite the U.S. President’s optimism, Iranian officials have indicated that no final agreement has been reached, insisting that discussions are still ongoing and key issues remain unresolved. Mediators continue to work toward a framework aimed at restoring maritime security and reducing tensions in the Gulf.
The latest developments come amid sustained international efforts to de-escalate tensions between Washington and Tehran, with global markets closely monitoring negotiations due to the Strait of Hormuz’s critical role in international energy trade.
