Trump threatens to walk away from Iran talks if Strait of Hormuz tolls imposed

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26 days · 11 summary articles
US President Donald Trump warned on Wednesday that Washington would terminate diplomatic negotiations with Iran immediately if Tehran imposes tolls on vessels transiting the Strait of Hormuz, escalating tensions hours after mediators announced a 60-day roadmap toward a final peace deal. Trump’s ultimatum came as US Secretary of State Marco Rubio toured Gulf capitals to reassure allies over the US–Iran framework agreement, while Iranian officials hailed the deal as a “declaration of US defeat” and scrambled to understand the president’s negotiating tactics.
Speaking in Washington, Trump confirmed that Iran had assured the US there would be “no tolls, insurance costs, or charges of any kind” for ships passing through the strategic waterway . He reiterated that the Strait of Hormuz is now open and vowed to take “whatever action is necessary” if Iran violates the agreement, adding that Tehran will never possess nuclear weapons. The president also criticised NATO allies for failing to support the US during the Iran conflict, stating they “were not there for us.”
Iran’s key negotiator, meanwhile, framed the framework deal as a triumph over Washington. “This is America’s declaration of defeat,” the official told reporters in Tehran, echoing earlier claims by Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian that the agreement marked a historic victory for Iran . Baffled Iranian diplomats were reportedly studying Trump’s *The Art of the Deal* to decipher his aggressive negotiating style, which has oscillated between threats to “bomb the s*** out of them” and sudden concessions .
The framework agreement, mediated by Pakistan and Qatar, includes a direct communication line and a de-confliction cell to prevent incidents, with technical talks set to resume next week . A joint statement outlined a 60-day timeline for a final peace deal, though Swiss media described the pact as a “defeat for Trump,” noting that the war in the Middle East had ended in failure for the US .
Rubio sought to ease Gulf allies’ concerns during his regional tour, reaffirming US security commitments and praising the UAE’s resilience against Iranian attacks . He also stressed that Washington would negotiate directly with Lebanon on Israel-related issues, separate from the US–Iran talks, and warned that any investment in Iran would hinge on progress on security matters .
The Senate’s symbolic 50–48 vote on a War Powers Resolution to end hostilities against Iran arrived too late to alter the interim peace agreement, which is already in effect under the 60-day ceasefire . Meanwhile, Iran pushed back against US claims that unfrozen assets might be used to purchase American agricultural products, as hardliners in Tehran voiced sharp opposition to the proposal .
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