Trump Says "Iran Will Come Back" as He Ramps Up Pressure with Threat to Close Hormuz Amid Nuclear Standoff

The Financial News, New York – Correspondent Lee Byung-chulPresident Donald Trump has raised the level of military pressure on the Islamic Republic of Iran while stressing that renegotiation is still possible, despite the collapse of talks to end the conflict. As negotiations broke down over differences on the nuclear issue, he even raised the prospect of closing the Strait of Hormuz, further heightening tensions in the Middle East.
On the 12th (local time), President Donald Trump said in a phone interview with Fox News, "Iran has not left the negotiating table, and in the end they will come back and give us everything we want," predicting that talks could resume. He added, "Iran has no cards to play at the negotiating table," underscoring what he described as its military inferiority.
Addressing the controversy over his earlier remark about "destroying Iranian civilization," President Donald Trump argued that his hard-line rhetoric had been effective, saying, "That statement brought them to the negotiating table." He went on, "I can end Iran in a single day, and within an hour I can destroy all of their infrastructure, including energy facilities and power plants," again warning that he could, in his words, send the country back to the "Stone Age."
He specifically mentioned seawater desalination plants, bridges, power grids, and missile production facilities as potential targets, outlining in detail what could come under attack. In doing so, he made clear a "two-track strategy" that combines negotiations with military pressure.
Regarding his order, issued via Truth Social, to close the Strait of Hormuz, President Donald Trump stated, "It will take a little time, but it will be implemented soon," adding, "It will not take long to clear the strait."
He said, "We have already deployed state-of-the-art underwater minesweepers, and we are also sending in additional traditional minesweepers," and noted, "Some countries, including the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland (UK), are taking part in the mine-clearing operation." Referring to the passage of two U.S. Navy (U.S. Navy) destroyers through the strait the previous day, he stressed, "No one was able to stop us."
President Donald Trump criticized the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) for its lukewarm response to requests for military support in the Strait of Hormuz and also voiced dissatisfaction with South Korea and Japan.
He claimed, "Japan imports 93% of its oil and South Korea 45% from that region, yet they did not help us," adding, "We station tens of thousands of troops in both Japan and South Korea, but when we asked for help, they did not respond." By inflating the actual size of United States Forces Korea (USFK), he continued to send a message of pressure to allied nations.
On energy markets, President Donald Trump said, "I hope prices will come down before the November midterm elections," but acknowledged uncertainty by adding, "They could stay around current levels or be somewhat higher."
He also confirmed that his plan to impose a 50% tariff on countries supplying military goods to the Islamic Republic of Iran was aimed directly at China. "If China engaged in such activities, it would be subject to that measure," he said, signaling the possibility of additional pressure.
President Donald Trump identified the Islamic Republic of Iran's nuclear program as the main reason for the breakdown in talks. "Negotiations were very amicable until the final stage, and we secured most of what we demanded, but the biggest problem was that Iran would not abandon its nuclear ambitions," he stated.




pride@fnnews.com Lee Byung-chul Reporter