WASHINGTON, United States — United States President Donald Trump stated on Tuesday that Iran will face military retaliation if the Strait of Hormuz is not reopened.
Golden Info reports that Donald Trump made the statement during an interview with Fox News. Trump confirmed that talks are ongoing to resolve a conflict that began on February 28 when the US and Israel launched strikes on Iran.
“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 during a visit to California.
He indicated that his administration is communicating with Iranian officials. “We’re having very good discussions,” Trump said. “The only thing that matters is action. And they want to make a deal. We’ll see what happens.”
“I have plenty of time,” he added.
A report by Axios, citing unnamed regional and US officials, stated that Washington, Iran, and Oman are nearing a 60-day interim arrangement for safe passage in the strait. The proposed deal would not involve toll payments and could be extended beyond the initial period.
Speaking before boarding Air Force One for a flight from California to Las Vegas, Trump said he believed a deal could happen “tomorrow or the next day.” The government hoped to announce the agreement on Wednesday.
Under the terms of the draft agreement, all maritime traffic heading into the Gulf would take a northern shipping lane, and outbound traffic would use a southern lane through Oman’s territorial waters.