Trump's Blistering Ultimatum: "Take Over" Iran If Strait of Hormuz Closes

Donald Trump threatened to “take over” Iran if they attempt to close the Strait of Hormuz again, a shocking declaration amid a weekend of diplomatic turmoil. The president's comments came as negotiators gathered in Switzerland for critical talks aimed at ending the ongoing war.

In a direct warning to Iranian officials, Trump stated, “you close [the strait] and you won’t have a country,” according to Fox News’s Trey Yingst. This threat followed Iran's renewed restrictions on maritime traffic, a response to Israel's military actions against Hezbollah.

“You won't even make it back to your f***** country,” Trump reportedly told Iranian representatives, adding ominously, “We'll take over the rest of the country.”

Negotiations began with a rocky start, as Iranian delegates walked out over Trump's inflammatory remarks. Despite this, the first round of discussions concluded early Monday morning, with Iranian foreign minister Abbas Araghchi acknowledging progress thanks to mediation from Pakistan and Qatar.

JD Vance, speaking on behalf of the U.S. delegation, indicated that Trump had urged a fresh approach to relations with Iran. The atmosphere in Tyre remains tense following weeks of Israeli airstrikes, with life largely disrupted despite a new ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah.

Iran's announcement to close the Strait of Hormuz came just days after an agreement was reached to ensure safe maritime passage. The closure was framed as a reaction to ongoing Israeli military operations in Lebanon targeting Hezbollah militants.

In an early morning call, Trump reiterated his warning: "you close [the Strait of Hormuz] and you won't have a country.” His aggressive rhetoric has overshadowed the diplomatic efforts taking place in Switzerland.

The U.S. negotiating team includes Vice President JD Vance, special envoy Steve Witkoff, and Jared Kushner. Iran is represented by parliamentary speaker Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf and foreign minister Abbas Araghchi.

Vance's departure from Switzerland remains uncertain, although he mentioned plans for a brief stay. Kushner and Witkoff are managing technical details for the U.S. side.

A joint statement from Pakistan and Qatar confirmed that high-level talks had concluded, with technical negotiations set to continue throughout the week. The parties agreed to establish a communication line for safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz and mechanisms aimed at halting hostilities between Israel and Hezbollah.

While Iran praised the mediators' efforts, the U.S. offered no immediate comment. Araghchi emphasized that the true test of negotiations would be whether the proposed mechanisms could effectively stop the fighting.

Disputes arose over Iran's claims regarding the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, which U.S. Central Command contested. Negotiators from both sides prepared for a second day of discussions following a tumultuous first day.

Mediators from Qatar and Pakistan reported “encouraging progress” during talks, with U.S. diplomats claiming advancements on multiple fronts, including ensuring the Strait of Hormuz remains open and maintaining a ceasefire in southern Lebanon.

However, Trump's incendiary comments from afar disrupted the proceedings, leading Iranian state media to report that talks paused due to his “insulting message.” The Iranian delegation briefly met with Qatari mediators before returning to negotiations.

In Qatar, an explosion at the Ras Laffan LNG processing site injured at least 54 people and left 18 missing. Authorities attributed the incident to a "technical accident," stating there was no public safety threat.

Democratic Senator Cory Booker criticized the latest deal with Iran, claiming it benefits Iran disproportionately while America suffers from financial losses incurred during the war. He described it as a “cataclysmic failure” resulting in billions lost.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu faces pressure to undermine Trump's agreement with Iran, as U.S. intelligence suggests he intends to continue military operations in Lebanon despite recent diplomatic efforts.

A joint statement from Pakistan and Qatar characterized negotiations as having occurred in a “positive and constructive atmosphere,” noting significant progress towards establishing a framework for further technical discussions.

A recent poll indicated that 92 percent of Israelis believe Iran has emerged victorious in its conflict with the U.S. and Israel. The survey revealed widespread dissatisfaction among Israelis regarding Trump's deal with Iran.

Netanyahu addressed his relationship with Trump at an international summit, asserting that both leaders respect each other's sovereignty while occasionally disagreeing on various issues.