US President Donald Trump has warned Iran to reopen the Strait of Hormuz or face severe military action, saying negotiations to restore shipping through the strategic waterway could produce an agreement as early as Wednesday.
Speaking to reporters in California on Tuesday, Trump said negotiators had “a very good day” and suggested a breakthrough could come “tomorrow or the next day”. However, he also repeated a stern warning in an interview with Fox News, declaring that if talks collapsed, Iran would be “hit very hard”.
“The strait is going to be open very soon, or they’re going to get hit very hard, and then the strait’s going to be open,” Trump said.
The Strait of Hormuz remains a critical global shipping route for oil and gas exports. Since the conflict between the United States and Iran escalated in late February, Tehran has tightened control over the waterway and is seeking authority to regulate traffic and impose transit tolls, a move that has become a major obstacle in ongoing diplomatic efforts.
US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent also expressed optimism, telling CNBC there was a chance an agreement could be reached by Wednesday or Thursday.
Despite the positive signals from Washington, Iran’s Foreign Ministry has continued to deny that direct negotiations with the United States are taking place.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio confirmed that Washington is participating in discussions involving Oman and Iran aimed at increasing maritime traffic through the Strait of Hormuz.
According to Axios, citing US and regional officials, the three parties are close to agreeing on a 60-day interim arrangement that would allow safe passage through the waterway. The report said Washington hoped to announce the agreement on Wednesday.
Meanwhile, tensions in the region remain high. Britain’s UK Maritime Trade Operations agency reported that a merchant vessel was struck by an unidentified projectile in the Strait of Hormuz on Tuesday, leaving one crew member missing.
Shipping disruptions have also shifted greater attention to the Red Sea, where Iran-backed Houthi rebels continue attacks on commercial vessels. On Tuesday, an Indian cargo ship sank off the coast of Yemen following an unattributed attack, although all crew members were rescued.
Qatar, which has been helping mediate the crisis, said diplomatic efforts were continuing but confirmed that no direct US-Iran talks were currently scheduled. Qatar’s Emir, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani, also held a telephone conversation with Trump to discuss efforts to reduce regional tensions.
Trump said the United States remains committed to reopening the Strait of Hormuz and pursuing Iran’s denuclearisation, while maintaining pressure on Tehran until what he described as “a Deal, or Total Surrender” is achieved.
