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

President Donald Trump has warned Iran that if negotiations for reopening the Strait of Hormuz fail, the US would "hit them very hard". The strategic waterway, crucial for global oil and gas supplies, has been a contentious issue in ongoing talks, leading to increased hostilities following a ceasefire in April. Iran has asserted control over the strait and is seeking to impose tolls, actions it did not take prior to the war beginning on February 28.

Trump disclosed on Tuesday that a deal for reopening the strait could be reached "tomorrow or the next day", stating that negotiators had "a very good day." Earlier, he conveyed a more aggressive tone, asserting that "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."

US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent hinted at a potential deal by Wednesday or Thursday. Meanwhile, a merchant ship was reported missing in Hormuz after being hit by a projectile, and an Indian vessel in the Red Sea sank after an unattributed attack, highlighting the volatile nature of the situation. Trump has repeatedly threatened Iran with "very hard" repercussions, only to retract his statements, seemingly hinting at an imminent deal.

Iran’s Foreign Ministry has denied any negotiations with Washington, despite Trump’s insistence that they are taking place. Secretary of State Marco Rubio mentioned on Tuesday that the US was engaged in negotiations with Oman and Iran to enhance traffic through the Strait of Hormuz. According to Axios, a news outlet, the US, Iran, and Oman are close to an interim agreement to reopen the strait, with a potential 60-day arrangement for safe passage between Iran and Oman.

Additionally, Qatar, which has been mediating the negotiations, reported ongoing diplomatic efforts but noted that no direct talks between Iran and the US were planned. The talks involve de-escalating tensions, with US President Trump stating that the situation was not overly complex. The US aims to reopen the strait and push for Iran's denuclearization, though Tehran has dismissed the negotiations as "duplicitous" and threatened a US counter-blockade of Iranian ports unless a deal is reached.

The ongoing war, now five months in, has left Iran capable of launching missiles and drones at US and allied targets, as well as commercial shipping. On Tuesday, Britain's maritime security agency reported that a cargo vessel was struck by an "unknown projectile" in the Strait of Hormuz off Oman. Iran continues to enforce an informal blockade of the strait, insisting on coordinating ship crossings with them.

The Red Sea has become an alternative route for shipping, with the Saudi port of Yanbu helping maintain shipments to global markets by avoiding Hormuz. However, the Houthis in Yemen have declared a maritime blockade on Saudi Arabia and claimed attacks on ships violating their blockade. On Tuesday, the Indian ship MSV Faize Noore Oliya sank in the Red Sea off Yemen following an unattributed attack, with all its crew members rescued.

The Red Sea serves as a gateway to the Suez Canal, and previous Houthi attacks during the Gaza war prompted shippers to take lengthy detours around the southern tip of Africa.