US President Donald Trump claimed that the Strait of Hormuz would reopen “very soon” as negotiations with Iran continue, while warning Tehran that it would face strong military action if the talks collapse.

Speaking to Fox News, Trump expressed confidence that the strategic waterway would soon resume normal operations.

“The Strait is going to be open very soon — or they’re gonna hit very hard, and then the Strait is going to be open,” he said.

Trump revealed that the United States had been prepared to launch what he described as its largest military operation since World War II before Iran requested negotiations.

“We were going to a tremendous attack, the biggest since World War II, and they called me and said, very politely, ‘Please, can we talk?’” Trump said, adding that he agreed to give diplomacy another chance.

Trump warned that Iran would face a strong military response if it walked away from the negotiations, stressing that the US would not allow Tehran to develop a nuclear weapon.

“If they back out again, they’re going to get hit really hard,” he said.

“They know that; they understand that. I have no choice. They can’t have a nuclear weapon. It’s very simple,” he said.

Despite the warning, Trump described the ongoing negotiations as constructive, saying US and Iranian officials were engaged in “very good discussions,” although he acknowledged that Iran had not publicly confirmed the reported progress.

“The only thing that matters is action, and they want to make a deal. We’ll see what happens. If they don’t make a deal, it’s going to be too bad,” he said.

All-day negotiation

Trump also disclosed that US and Iranian officials held an “all-day negotiation” on Tuesday, expressing optimism that a breakthrough could soon be reached.

He said reopening the Strait of Hormuz would help stabilise global energy markets and predicted lower fuel prices if tensions ease.

Later, while speaking to reporters in California, Trump said the negotiations were “moving along very nicely” and suggested there could be greater clarity within the next 48 hours.

Earlier in the day, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said discussions on ensuring safe passage through the strategic waterway had not yet been finalised but voiced hope that an agreement would be reached “very shortly.”