Trump warns Iran of ‘very hard’ strike if Strait of Hormuz remains closed
US President Donald Trump told Fox News that the United States and Iran are engaged in "very good" discussions, while warning that Tehran will face a "very hard" strike if it does not open the Strait of Hormuz. Trump stated, "Iran will never have a nuclear weapon. They cannot have one now, but that will be officially established. The Strait will be opened, or they will be hit very hard, and then it will be opened." The interview was broadcast on Tuesday night. The President added that Washington had previously prepared for a "massive strike, the biggest since World War II," but claimed Iranian officials requested talks to avert the operation. Trump said, "They said, very politely, could we please talk? And I said yes, we can talk; let's do it." Trump asserted that this action should have been taken by previous presidents or other nations over the last 50 years, adding that if Iran acquires a nuclear weapon, "the whole world will be a different place." He also suggested that while Iran is reluctant to publicly admit to talks with the US, "they want to make a deal." When asked when he would decide there is no turning back for Iran, Trump replied, "I have plenty of time." On Monday, he stated he was prepared to authorise a major strike on Iran but emphasised his preference for a deal to prevent nuclear proliferation. Trump noted, "I want to give them one last chance before what we have planned to take down the leadership." He described the potential strike as "very hard" and reiterated that despite military preparations, he prefers diplomacy, as an attack of that scale is a "big move." Previously, on Truth Social, Trump labelled Iran's leadership "incredibly hypocritical," writing that Iranian officials had requested a meeting and that talks had begun, though Tehran denies these negotiations, claiming it is only in contact with Oman.