Former US President Donald Trump has issued some of his most explicit threats yet against Iran, warning of devastating military action if Tehran closes the strategic Strait of Hormuz. These threats emerged from Washington simultaneously with the first round of US-Iran talks in Switzerland, aimed at de-escalating tensions.
Trump's Stark Warnings and Toll Proposal
During the ongoing diplomatic efforts, Trump declared that if Iran were to close the Strait of Hormuz—a vital global waterway for oil shipments—the Islamic Republic would cease to exist. He went further, stating, "You won't even make it back to your f***ing country," according to reports.
Beyond military action, Trump also proposed a radical economic measure: the US taking direct control of the Strait of Hormuz and imposing a 20% toll on oil cargoes passing through. He framed this as compensation for the billions Washington has spent protecting regional shipping lanes, portraying the American military as a "Guardian Angel" for West Asian countries.
Diplomacy in Switzerland
Meanwhile, American and Iranian negotiators met at the Burgenstock resort in Switzerland for talks under the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding. The US delegation, led by Vice President JD Vance and including special envoys Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff, aimed to "turn over a new leaf" in relations with Tehran.
Iran was represented by Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi and chief negotiator Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf. Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Qatar's Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani also participated in the quadrilateral discussions.
The Lebanon Complication and Iran's Stance
The negotiations were complicated by the situation in Lebanon, where hostilities continued despite a recent ceasefire announcement. Trump separately threatened to strike Iran "very hard again" over Hezbollah's actions, accusing Tehran of using highly paid proxies to cause trouble.
Iran has made its position clear: broader negotiations, including on its nuclear program, are contingent on the stabilization of Lebanon and the materialization of promised economic benefits. Iranian officials stressed that Sunday's discussions focused primarily on implementing existing commitments, such as sanctions waivers and the release of frozen Iranian assets, rather than tackling larger strategic questions.