'Open Strait or get hit very hard': Trump issues warning to Iran, says Hormuz will open 'very soon'

US President Donald Trump on Wednesday issued a fresh warning to Iran, saying Tehran would face severe military consequences if it walked away from the ongoing negotiations. He also claimed the Strait of Hormuz would reopen soon, even as Iranian officials denied holding direct talks with Washington.

Trump warns Iran over talks

Speaking to Fox News, Trump said discussions with Iran were progressing positively but accused Tehran of publicly denying the negotiations.

“We’re having very good discussions. They don’t like to admit that. It’s a little bit disconcerting. You tell people we’re having wonderful discussions and then some guy comes out of Iran and says we have not met," he said.

He also warned that the strategic Strait of Hormuz would soon be reopened.

“The Strait is going to be open very soon or they’re gonna hit very hard, and then the Strait is going to be open," Trump added.

The US President also dismissed claims that the negotiations were unrelated to Iran's nuclear programme.

“They’ll say we didn’t talk about nuclear. Well, what do we talk about? We’re sitting there twiddling our thumbs? But the only thing that matters is action," he said.

Reiterating Washington's position, Trump said, “If they back out again, they’re going to get hit really hard. They know that; they understand that. I have no choice. They can’t have a nuclear weapon. It’s very simple."

Claims over last-minute outreach

Trump further claimed that Iran approached the United States shortly before what he described as a major planned military operation.

“We were going for a tremendous attack, the biggest since World War Two, and they called me and said very politely, please can we talk. I said yes, we can talk. Let’s get it done. This should have been done by other presidents for 50 years," he said.

He also indicated that developments could come soon, saying, “Things are going well regarding Iran, and we will see what happens within 48 hours."

Iran rejects US narrative

Trump's remarks come as tensions remain high over the Strait of Hormuz, a key maritime route that carries nearly one-fifth of the world's oil supply.

US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent also suggested that Washington was close to securing an agreement to restore navigation through the waterway.

“We are in talks with the Iranians, and I think there is a chance we may have a deal today or tomorrow to open the strait and move towards a more normalised position in this conflict," Bessent said while speaking to CNBC.

Iran, however, has rejected the suggestion of direct negotiations with the United States. According to Iranian authorities, the current discussions are taking place only with Oman and are aimed at creating a new maritime framework that protects Tehran's sovereignty. Iran has also maintained that any future arrangement concerning the Strait of Hormuz must safeguard its security interests while preserving sovereign control over the strategic waterway.