Trump warns Iran to open Strait of Hormuz or ‘get hit very hard’

US President Donald Trump on Tuesday said a deal to reopen the Strait of Hormuz could come “tomorrow or the next day,” while warning Iran it would be “hit very hard” if negotiations failed.

Deal may be imminent, Trump says

Speaking to reporters in California, Trump said negotiators “had a very good day” and suggested an agreement to reopen the vital shipping lane could be announced within days. He told Fox News:

“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.”

Negotiations and denials

Trump described the talks as ongoing even though Iran’s foreign ministry has denied negotiating with Washington. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the United States was involved in negotiations between Oman and Iran on increasing traffic through the strait.

News outlet Axios reported that the US, Iran and Oman were nearing an interim deal to reopen the strait, with the proposed arrangement reportedly lasting 60 days, according to unnamed regional officials and a US official cited by Axios.

Threats and counter-threats

Trump has repeatedly warned Iran of heavy strikes if diplomacy fails. The president previously said Tehran was “duplicitous” for denying talks and said a US counter-blockade of Iranian ports would remain “unless a Deal, or Total Surrender, is accomplished.”

US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent told CNBC there was “a chance we may have a deal” by Wednesday or Thursday.

Maritime violence continues

The volatile security situation at sea has continued. Britain’s maritime security agency UKMTO said an unnamed cargo vessel was struck by an “unknown projectile” in the Strait of Hormuz off Oman. One crew member was listed missing after a merchant ship was hit by a projectile in the strait, and an Indian ship sank in the Red Sea following an unattributed attack; all crew on that ship were rescued.

Wider regional impact

The disruptions in Hormuz have increased the importance of Red Sea routes, where Iran-backed Houthi rebels have declared a maritime blockade on Saudi Arabia and claimed multiple attacks on ships. The Red Sea is a gateway to the Suez Canal, and earlier Houthi attacks forced some shippers to detour around the southern tip of Africa.

What officials say

• Qatar said diplomatic efforts were ongoing but that no direct Iran-US talks were planned; Doha said its leader spoke with Trump about “efforts to de-escalate tensions.”
• Axios reported the possible interim 60-day passage arrangement was being discussed between the US, Iran and Oman.

More than five months into a war that has cost Washington billions of dollars, Iran remains capable of firing missiles and drones at US and allied targets and at commercial shipping.