President Donald Trump said today that the United States could “take control” of the Strait of Hormuz if it fails to reach an agreement with Iran, and he issued a warning to the Iranian delegation currently engaged in negotiations in Switzerland.
“We can take control of the Strait if we have to,” Trump said during a 20-minute phone interview with Fox News. “If they don’t make a deal, we will collect transit fees.”
On Saturday, Iranian state media reported that Iran’s military command had declared its intention to close the strait, citing alleged violations of the ceasefire in Lebanon by Israel and what it described as the United States’ “failure” to implement the first provision of the preliminary agreement aimed at ending the war.
During the interview with Fox News, Trump appeared to threaten a resumption of U.S. bombing operations against Iran and directed strong remarks toward Iranian negotiators meeting with Vice President JD Vance in Switzerland.
“If you close it, you won’t have a country anymore,” Trump said he had told Iranian officials regarding the strategic waterway. “You won’t even be able to get back to your own country.”
Trump reiterated his belief that the United States could become the “guardian angel” of the strait and receive 20% of the oil transported through it.
CNN has contacted the White House for further clarification regarding what taking control of the strait would entail.
Trump also renewed his threats toward Iran over the actions of its allies in Lebanon.
“Iran must immediately stop its highly paid PROXIES in Lebanon from causing trouble,” Trump wrote on Truth Social on Sunday morning. “If they don’t, we will hit Iran again very hard, just as we did last week—only even harder!!!”
