President Donald Trump said the United States is prepared to present a plan to end the conflict with Iran on the negotiating table.
This ultimatum places the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz at the center of U.S. strategic objectives, linking regional maritime security directly to the possibility of a peace agreement.
Trump said that the war with Iran is near the end [1]. He said that the U.S. would enter negotiations in Islamabad, Pakistan, from a position of strength [2]. While signaling a potential resolution, the president coupled these remarks with a severe warning regarding the Strait of Hormuz.
"If the Strait of Hormuz is not reopened, I will unleash hell on Iran," Trump said [3].
These statements were made across several days in June 2024. Reports indicate a statement was issued on Thursday, June 16, 2024 [4], following an earlier communication on Tuesday, June 7, 2024, at 8:06 a.m. [5].
Trump said he believes the U.S. is very close to reaching an agreement to end the war [6]. However, the administration's approach remains a duality of diplomatic outreach and military threat. The demand for the reopening of the strait serves as a non-negotiable prerequisite for the peace plan to move forward.
While some reports suggest the conflict is nearly over, other accounts highlight the continued threat of hostilities if Iran refuses the U.S. terms [7]. The proposed negotiations in Islamabad would mark a significant shift in the venue for diplomatic engagement between the two nations.
Trump said, "Let's see what happens. But I think we are very close to signing an agreement to end the war in Iran" [8].
“"If the Strait of Hormuz is not reopened, I will unleash hell on Iran,"”
The U.S. strategy is utilizing a 'maximum pressure' framework by simultaneously offering a diplomatic exit and threatening escalation. By centering the demand on the Strait of Hormuz—a chokepoint for global oil shipments—the U.S. is leveraging global economic stability to force Iranian compliance before formal peace talks begin.
