US Threatens Iran Amid Stalled Peace Talks Over Strait of Hormuz
As diplomatic efforts to end the Middle East conflict continue in Switzerland, tensions between the United States and Iran have escalated sharply. On June 21, 2026, U.S. President Donald Trump issued stark warnings to Iranian officials, threatening renewed military action and economic measures if a peace agreement is not reached—particularly concerning control of the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz.
Trump Issues Ultimatum Over Strait of Hormuz
During a 20-minute interview with Fox News, President Trump stated that the U.S. would resume bombing Iran if issues surrounding the Strait of Hormuz remain unresolved. “If you shut it down, you won’t have a country anymore,” Trump warned. “You won’t even make it back to your damn country.” He further asserted that the United States could “take over” the strait if negotiations fail, potentially imposing tolls on all vessels passing through it.
Republican Senator Lindsey Graham reinforced this stance, telling CBS News that he had discussed a fallback strategy with Trump. According to Graham, if the peace deal collapses, the U.S. plans to seize control of the Strait of Hormuz by force and charge transit fees to fund the operation.
Negotiations Continue Despite Setbacks
Despite the threats, diplomatic channels remain open. Vice President JD Vance met with an Iranian delegation—including chief negotiator Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf—at the Burgenstock luxury hotel complex in Switzerland as part of quadrilateral talks involving the U.S., Iran, Pakistan, and Qatar. However, an Iranian source close to the delegation told CNN that while negotiations have stalled, they are not yet over, with back-channel efforts underway to revive dialogue.
Ghalibaf publicly denounced what he called U.S. “desperation” following Trump’s remarks, signaling growing friction between the two sides even as talks proceed.
Iran’s Response and Regional Tensions
Iranian state media reported that the country’s military command intends to close the Strait of Hormuz, citing Israel’s alleged violation of a ceasefire with Lebanon and the U.S. failure to implement key clauses of an interim war-ending agreement. The strait, through which roughly 20% of the world’s oil supply passes, remains a critical flashpoint in the broader conflict.
Trump suggested the U.S. could become the strait’s “guardian angel” by capturing 20% of the oil flowing through it—a proposal that underscores the economic dimensions of the standoff.
As the situation unfolds, the international community watches closely, with the outcome of the Swiss talks likely to shape the trajectory of the Middle East conflict in the coming days.
