In a Fox News interview about the escalating standoff with Iran, U.S. President Donald Trump said Washington could physically seize the Strait of Hormuz if forced to do so and begin charging transit fees to every vessel crossing it. He said that if Iran shut the waterway, “they won’t have a country,” and described the United States as the “guardian angel” of the strait and the Middle East. Trump also framed the move as effectively taking control of 20% of the oil that passes through the strait.
The exchange intensified after Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian was heard in a clip from Iran insisting Tehran would not give up its right to enrich uranium and attacking Trump for demanding “unconditional surrender.” Fox News correspondent Trey Yingst reported that Trump heard the remarks and warned Pezeshkian directly: “He should keep his mouth shut, he should calm down, or we will take control of the rest of the country.”
The rhetoric comes as diplomatic efforts continue in parallel. Vice President J.D. Vance met in Switzerland with several Middle Eastern leaders in an attempt to launch regional peace talks with Iran, even as threats and ultimatums hung over the negotiations.
Trump also turned to Israel, saying he was disappointed it had not managed to “put an end” to Hezbollah and claiming it is difficult for Israel to conduct military operations in Lebanon “without collapsing buildings.” He repeated his idea of giving the mission to Syria, saying he was close to transferring the task and considering giving Syria’s new president, Ahmad al-Sharaa, broader authority so he could enter southern Lebanon and fight Hezbollah. Trump also wrote on Truth Social that Iran must immediately stop its “well-paid proxies” in Lebanon, warning that if it does not, the United States will strike Iran again “very hard,” even more severely than last week.
On Gaza, Trump said Hamas is “not causing many problems” and argued the process should move forward, adding that once the Iran issue is resolved, many other matters will fall into place.
