Trump warns he can ‘take out Iran in one day’ after peace talks collapse | World | News
After the failure of peace talks, Donald Trump claimed that he could eliminate Iran in one day by paralyzing the country’s energy infrastructure. As tensions escalate over Iran’s nuclear ambitions and the future of the Strait of Hormuz, the US President made this stern warning during an interview with Fox News host Maria Bartiromo.
Trump said that military action against Iran could be rapid and decisive, and announced that he was considering a US-led naval blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s most important shipping routes. He suggested that the US Navy would stop any ship paying tolls to Iran to pass through the Bosphorus, effectively shutting down a key route used for global oil shipments. The comments came after talks between Vice President J.D. Vance and Iranian officials ended without an agreement. Iran’s nuclear program remained the main point of contention during the failed negotiations, although Trump had previously suggested that Tehran was ready to abandon its nuclear ambitions.
Trump has previously threatened to completely destroy Iran’s energy facilities, but his latest comments suggest the White House is instead focusing on cutting off shipping access through the Strait of Hormuz.
The proposed blockade raised fears of a major international crisis and concerns among European allies about how far the United States would go.
Trump had previously claimed that “other countries” would also participate in the US-led operation, although he did not name them.
However, England confirmed that it would not attend.
A Government spokesman said: “We continue to support freedom of navigation and the opening of the Strait of Hormuz, which is urgently needed to support the global economy and the cost of living at home. The Strait of Hormuz should not be taxed.”
The spokesman added: “We are working urgently with France and other partners to build a broad coalition to protect freedom of navigation.”
The Strait of Hormuz carries about 20 percent of world oil trade and has been severely disrupted since hostilities began on February 28.
Trump said in his post on the Truth Social platform: “Iran promised to open the Strait of Hormuz, but they knowingly did not fulfill it.
“This has caused anxiety, displacement and suffering to many people and Countries around the World.”
He added: “Effective immediately, the U.S. Navy, the Best Navy in the World, will begin the process of BLOCKING all Ships attempting to enter or exit the Strait of Hormuz.”
“At some point we will get to the baseline of ‘everyone is allowed in, everyone is allowed out,’ but Iran did not allow it to be a mine that no one knew about but them, just by saying ‘There might be a mine in there somewhere.’
“This is a worldwide extortion, and the leaders of countries, especially the United States, will never be blackmailed.”
Dozens of ships managed to pass through the Bosphorus over the weekend during a temporary pause in the crisis.
The ships included missile destroyers and minesweepers sent to clear naval mines that Iran had allegedly laid in the shipping channel.
Trump also warned that any ship paying “illegal transit fees” to Iran would not be granted safe passage.
He said: “I have also instructed our Navy to search and interdict any ship that harms Iran in International Waters.
“No one who pays illegal tolls will have safe passage on the high seas.”
Trump then issued one of his most aggressive warnings yet, saying Iranians or “peaceful ships” who resist U.S. action will “fly to hell.”
He added: “We will also start destroying the mines laid by the Iranians in the Straits. Any Iranian who fires at us or at peaceful ships will be THROWN TO HELL!
“Iran knows better than anyone how to put an end to this situation that has already devastated its country.”
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