Trump Threatens Iran Over Strait of Hormuz: "I’ll Blow Them to Pieces"

Talks between the United States and Iran began this afternoon (Sunday) in Switzerland, as part of negotiations to end the war. The first issue raised for discussion: the IDF’s withdrawal from Lebanon.

At the same time, U.S. President Donald Trump responded to Iranian reports claiming they are closing the Strait of Hormuz because the United States did not uphold an agreement to force Israel to withdraw from Lebanon.

Trump said in an interview with Fox News: "I’ll blow them to pieces if they do that. It could be that we’ll have to take control of the Strait of Hormuz. We are the guardian angel of the Middle East. I spoke with senior Iranian officials, and I told them: if Iran closes the Strait of Hormuz, they will not have a country."

The American president also addressed comments by Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, who said earlier today: "We will not give up our right to enrichment, and you will have to accept that." Trump responded: "He should watch his mouth, he should get himself together, or we’ll take over the rest of his country. I hold all the cards, and I have a number of options if the Iranians do not make a serious commitment during the negotiations."

Trump also referred to the situation in Lebanon: "Iran must immediately stop its proxy in Lebanon from stirring up trouble. If they do not do so, we will hit Iran very hard again, exactly as we did last week, only harder. I am disappointed that Israel cannot ‘move’ Hezbollah. They can’t do anything without blowing up a few buildings. I’m close to giving it to Syria." On Gaza, the American president added: "Hamas is not causing many problems. Once the issue with Iran is over, many of the other things will work themselves out."