Trump, speaking to Fox News correspondent Trey Yingst by phone, warned Iranian officials: "You close it and you won't have a country". He also cautioned Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, who has insisted on Iran's right to enrich uranium, to "watch his mouth" and "shape up or we'll take over the rest of the country".
Trump also floated the idea of the U.S. becoming what he called the "guardian angel" of the strait, taking over operations and collecting 20% of the oil passing through in lieu of tolls.
Iran's parliament security committee spokesman Ebrahim Rezaei dismissed the threats on X, writing that Trump's claims were "utterly empty" and that the U.S. "wanted to, but couldn't" seize the strait during more than 100 days of war.
The remarks came as U.S. and Iranian delegations were holding talks in Switzerland. Iran's state news agency IRNA reported that its delegation left the negotiating building after Trump's posts disrupted proceedings, though a diplomatic source told AFP that Iran remained engaged and had not communicated any intention to withdraw to mediators.
Despite Iran's announcement of a closure, the U.S. military said the strait remained open, though ship traffic dropped sharply Sunday to just 12 vessels, down from more than 21 the previous day, according to maritime data firm Windward.
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Source: PAP