US President Donald Trump has warned that Iran will face fresh military strikes if the Strait of Hormuz is not reopened, despite saying negotiations between both countries are making progress.
Speaking in an interview with Fox News, Trump said talks with Tehran were going well but warned that the United States would respond forcefully if Iran failed to honour any agreement.
“The Strait is going to be open very soon, or they are going to get hit very hard,” Trump said.
“If they back out again, they are going to get hit really hard. They know that. They understand that. I have no choice.”
Trump said he preferred a diplomatic solution but insisted military action remained an option.
“I hope we won’t have to. We’re having very good discussions. They don’t like to admit that,” he added.
Iran, however, has denied holding direct talks with the United States, maintaining that its discussions are with Oman on arrangements to reopen the strategic waterway.
Tehran has also tightened its control over the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s most important oil shipping routes.
Iran’s state broadcaster, IRIB, reported on Wednesday that the waterway would remain closed if the United States continued what it described as violations, even if Iran and Oman reached an agreement.
Hassan Ghashghavi, spokesperson for Iran’s National Security and Foreign Policy Commission, also said the Strait of Hormuz would not return to its pre-war status under any circumstances.
The Strait of Hormuz handles about one-fifth of global crude oil shipments, making it one of the world’s most critical energy transit routes.
