Khaberni - U.S. President Donald Trump confirmed that his country "will not allow any threat to navigation in international waters," and threatened Iran to end the crisis of the Strait of Hormuz "one way or another if necessary," just before peace talks in Pakistan for which this vital passageway will be a main agenda item.
Trump told reporters last Friday as he left Washington on a domestic trip: "We will open the Gulf with or without them… or the strait as they call it. I think it will be fairly quick, and if it doesn’t happen then we will be able to finish it," emphasizing that the strait will be opened "soon".
Trump had previously confirmed that his country would work on reopening the strait "very soon," considering that Iran does not have "significant negotiating cards" to speak of, except for its ability to affect the movement of navigation through the strait.
Controlling the Strait of Hormuz, through which about a fifth of the world's crude oil supplies pass, is at the heart of the peace talks hosted by Pakistan today, Saturday.
Attempt at Extortion
In a series of statements and posts on his platform "Truth Social," Trump accused Tehran of trying to "extort the world" by threatening to close international waterways.
In an interview with The Washington Post, Trump revealed that American warships are being refitted and armed, in anticipation of possible strikes on Iran if the upcoming talks fail.
He said the United States "loads these ships with the best ammunition and weapons ever," adding that their use would be "very effective" if an agreement is not reached.
The United States is scheduled to participate in the Islamabad talks with a delegation led by Vice President J.D. Vance, while the Iranian delegation is led by Parliament Speaker Baqer Qalibaf.
