U.S. President Donald Trump has said he is determined to pursue a deal with Iran despite political criticism at home, declaring that he “doesn’t care about the midterms” while insisting that “nobody” would control the strategic Strait of Hormuz.
Speaking during a cabinet meeting at the White House, Trump accused Iran of attempting to delay negotiations until after the upcoming U.S. midterm elections in hopes of securing better terms. “They thought they were going to outwait me… I don’t care about the midterms,” Trump said while discussing ongoing negotiations with Tehran.
Trump also made strong remarks regarding the Strait of Hormuz, the vital global oil shipping route connecting the Persian Gulf to the Arabian Sea. He stressed that the waterway would remain open and under no single country’s control. “The strait will be open to everyone. These are international waters. No one will control it,” Trump said.
The comments came amid reports that Iran and Oman were discussing a framework involving tolls on ships passing through the strait. Trump rejected any arrangement that would allow either country to dominate the route, which handles a major portion of global oil shipments.
During the meeting, Trump warned that the United States was prepared to act if freedom of navigation in the region was threatened. He also reiterated that preventing Iran from obtaining nuclear weapons remained a top priority for his administration.
The latest remarks come as tensions remain high in the Middle East following months of military confrontation involving the U.S., Iran and Israel. American officials have continued diplomatic efforts while also carrying out military operations near the Strait of Hormuz to protect shipping lanes and counter potential Iranian threats.
Trump’s comments have sparked international attention, particularly because Oman has traditionally acted as a mediator between Washington and Tehran. Despite the tensions, negotiations over a possible agreement with Iran are still continuing, though officials have acknowledged that major differences remain unresolved.
