US President Donald Trump on Friday asserted that the Strait of Hormuz “will open with or without Iran,” as high-stakes ceasefire talks with Tehran are set to take place in Islamabad.
Speaking to reporters ahead of the negotiations, Trump expressed confidence in the US position and backed Vice President JD Vance, who is leading the American delegation. “I wish him luck… They (Iran) are militarily defeated, and now we are going to open up the Gulf, with or without them,” he said.
He added that if diplomatic efforts fail, Washington is prepared to act decisively. “If it doesn’t, we are going to finish it off, one way or the other… The Strait of Hormuz will open up automatically. We will have it open fairly soon,” Trump said.
Vance is accompanied by special envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, while the Iranian side is being led by Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi and Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf.
Trump also ruled out allowing Iran to impose transit charges on ships passing through the strategic waterway. “No, we are not going to allow that. It’s international waters,” he said.
The remarks come amid heightened tensions after Iran effectively blockaded the Strait of Hormuz—a critical route linking the Persian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman—in response to US-Israeli strikes on February 28 that triggered the ongoing conflict.
The waterway carries nearly 20% of the world’s crude oil supply, making it one of the most vital chokepoints in global energy trade.
Trump downplayed the need for contingency planning, claiming Iran’s military capabilities have been significantly weakened. “We don’t need a backup plan… We have hit them hard. Our military has done an amazing job,” he said.
However, the fragile 14-day ceasefire remains under strain. Israeli operations in Lebanon have continued despite the truce, prompting retaliatory rocket fire from Hezbollah. Israel maintains that the ceasefire does not extend to Lebanon, further complicating the situation.
With tensions still high and key disagreements unresolved, the upcoming Islamabad talks are seen as a crucial attempt to prevent further escalation in the region.
