There are signs that talks with Iran are not going well. Iran, or at least elements in Iran, are threatening the Strait of Hormuz again. President Trump has wasted no time letting Iran know that he isn't about to put up with any of that. Hormuz, the president informed Iran in a Sunday verbal broadside, is staying open. Fox News' chief foreign correspondent Trey Yingst reported on that early Sunday morning.
"You close it and you won't have a country." President Trump said he told Iranian officials about the Strait of Hormuz. "You won't even make it back to your fu*king country."
— Trey Yingst (@TreyYingst) June 21, 2026
"We may take over the Strait, if we have to," Trump said. "If they don't make a deal, we'll collect… pic.twitter.com/cErvdjCJmK
The post reads:
"You close it and you won't have a country." President Trump said he told Iranian officials about the Strait of Hormuz. "You won't even make it back to your fu*king country."
"We may take over the Strait, if we have to," Trump said. "If they don't make a deal, we'll collect tolls."
Trump added the U.S. could become the "Guardian Angel" of the Strait, and take 20% of the oil.
Never let it be said that President Trump is one to mince words.
Here's what Trey Yingst reports in the video:
Trey Yingst: Hey guys, good morning. I just spoke with President Trump for more than 20 minutes, and he gave some new insight and reaction about the ongoing talks that are taking place in Switzerland, and the threats that are coming from the Iranian regime. President Trump telling Fox News that the U.S. may take over the Strait in the future, if they have to, and collect tolls. The president described this as the United States being the guardian angel of the Strait of Hormuz, and the Middle East. And the president said ultimately that would involve taking 20 percent of the oil that passes through the Strait.
It's not at all clear what value the United States charging any such toll would serve; it will likely be referred to as compensation for the United States ensuring free passage for all ships in the Strait, but it would only last as long as the Republicans hold the White House or Congress.
Trey Yingst: Remember, this comes in reaction to the Iranians, saying they will close the Strait of Hormuz, in response to Israeli strikes against Hezbollah in Lebanon. President Trump tells Fox News he spoke with Iranian officials overnight, and said, "You close it, and you won't have a country." He went on to tell these officials, "You won't even make it back to your effing country." Now, earlier today Iran's president, Masoud Pezeshkian, said this about Iranian enrichment of uranium, the president also reacting to that. Take a listen.
(Iran's President Pezeshkian, through an interpreter): We will not give up our right to enrichment. And they, too, will be forced to accept it. You all know what the so-called president of the United States was saying. He had made a complete 100-degree (sic) turn. He was saying that Iran must surrender unconditionally. Iran has no right to do this; it has no right to do that.
This tells us that Iran's president apparently intends Iran to continue on its path toward a nuclear weapon. Denying Iran such a weapon, remember, was the original goal of Operation Epic Fury and Operation Midnight Hammer before it. It also tells us that the Iranian interpreter could use a few lessons in geometry.
Trey Yingst: President Trump, during our call, responded directly to those comments by Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian. President Trump told Fox News, "He'd better watch his mouth, he'd better shape up, or we'll take over the rest of the country. And so clearly the president reacted directly to these comments from Iran's president, Masoud Pezeshkian, and also, President Trump talked about the broader memorandum of understanding, indicating this is just a cease-fire extenstion; this is not the final deal with the Iranian regime, and the president says he holds the cards, and maintains a variety of options, if the Iranians don't make these serious commitments at the negotiating table. He said "I have a 60 day option, and I can do whatever I want, after that option." So again, President Trump leaving a variety of considerations on the table, and says that the United States could become the guardian angel of the Strait of Hormuz and collect tolls itself, while taking oil, around 20 percent, the president says. As it relates to oil, the president also said, that 19 million barrels of crude oil have exited the Persian Gulf yesterday, as a result of this memorandum of understanding, with the Iranians.
Note that taking over the rest of the country, as President Trump puts it, would be an operation that would dwarf everything that we've done to date in the region. It's also an exercise that could easily get out of control, spilling over into neighboring countries. And, if Iran lacks the capacity to build a nuclear weapon, who says they can't purchase one, if driven by desperation - or that North Korea, just to name one likely candidate, might not agree to sell them one?
Read More: Iran Shuts Down the Strait of Hormuz Again, Says the U.S. Breached the Islamabad Deal
JD Vance Heads to Switzerland, As Peace Talks Over the MOU and Israel-Lebanon Ceasefire Continue
As all this is happening, Vice President JD Vance is in Switzerland, and talks with Iran are proceeding. (Note: Live update page, refreshes regularly)
Diplomacy is, very often, the art of saying "Nice doggie, nice doggie," until one can find a rock. In this case, the United States has all the rocks, but the question is where, when, and how to use them. Iran's president may be posturing for a negotiating advantage. The United States, candidly, can't afford to get caught up in a land war in Iran. The Iranians know this. They also know the American midterms are coming, and that 2028 isn't all that far away. Time, in this case, works for Iran, not necessarily for us.
The talks are ongoing. Stay tuned. This thing isn't over yet.
Editor's Note: For decades, former presidents have been all talk and no action. Now, Donald Trump is eliminating the threat from Iran once and for all.
Help us report the truth about the Trump administration's decisive actions to keep Americans safe and bring peace to the world. Join RedState VIP and use promo code FIGHT to get 60% off your VIP membership.
Join the conversation as a VIP Member