According to Fox News, President Donald Trump issued a blunt warning to Iranian leaders on Truth Social Friday, declaring they have “no cards” left in negotiations with the United States beyond short-term leverage over the Strait of Hormuz.
“The Iranians don’t seem to realize they have no cards, other than a short term extortion of the World by using International Waterways,” Trump posted. “The only reason they are alive today is to negotiate!”
The remarks come as Vice President JD Vance travels to Islamabad, Pakistan, for high-stakes weekend talks aimed at solidifying a fragile two-week ceasefire between the US and Iran.
Trump separately criticized Tehran for doing “a very poor job” of allowing oil shipments through the vital Strait of Hormuz, calling it a violation of the agreement.
The Strait of Hormuz, through which about 20% of global oil passes, remains Iran’s primary pressure point.
Trump portrayed this as temporary “extortion” rather than genuine bargaining power, while suggesting US military assets are “loading up” and ready if talks collapse.
Iran has pushed back, with its Parliament speaker demanding a ceasefire in Lebanon and the release of blocked Iranian assets before any negotiations proceed. Tehran has also cast doubt on the talks, accusing Washington of violations.
Analysts note the timing is tense: the ceasefire, brokered after recent escalations involving Iran, Israel, and proxies, appears shaky.
Trump’s characteristically direct language signals Washington holds overwhelming leverage—military, economic, and diplomatic—while leaving the door open for a deal.
In a follow-up post, the president added that Iranians are “better at handling the Fake News Media, and ‘Public Relations,’ than they are at fighting.”
With Vance warning that the US team will not tolerate Iran “playing” negotiators, the coming days in Pakistan could determine whether the fragile truce holds or the region slides back toward open conflict. Read_More…