Trump Says Hormuz Situation Is 'Very Good' and Rules Out Negotiating: 'Iran Cannot Have a Nuclear Weapon'

In a new rhetorical escalation, United States President Donald Trump stepped back on Wednesday, August 19, from any immediate resumption of negotiations with Iran's regime. From the White House, he stated: “Maybe at some point. Right now, the situation is very good”, making clear that no diplomatic contact is expected in the short term.

The US Position: Full Control of the Strait

The President asserted that the United States has “total control” of the Strait of Hormuz and that “many ships are crossing”, despite the tensions that have limited the transit of supertankers in recent weeks. Trump highlighted that oil is still flowing and that this continuous flow prevented the barrel price from escalating to USD 300 or USD 350.

“People are looking for alternatives to Hormuz. You know what they are: Texas, Alaska, Louisiana. People are coming to the United States for oil,”

Trump said, linking the Gulf crisis with a greater role for US oil supply in the global market.

A New Phase of Economic and Military Pressure

The expiration of the bilateral 60-day deadline, which lapsed on August 17, left no immediate diplomatic exit in a relationship marked by war. Washington gave no signals of new talks and has hardened its stance, while the White House threatened to launch a “devastating economic operation” against Iran, including sanctions on crude buyers, exchange networks, cash transfers, and shell companies.

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent reiterated that the goal is to achieve the “collapse” of the Tehran regime. Oil prices reacted immediately: Brent crude rose more than 2%, hovering around USD 94 per barrel, while WTI climbed to USD 86.

Iran's Response

From Tehran, Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi called the sanctions “economic terrorism” and a “distraction maneuver” that will only bring more defeats. The Iranian Foreign Ministry denounced the blocking of ports and the closure of the strait as factors that hamper the import of goods and drive up prices, while inflation exceeds 60% year-on-year and basic goods like eggs, rice, or meat are becoming luxury items.

The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) warned that it could deploy even more “destructive” weapons if war resumes, and offered a reward of USD 30,000 for each American soldier captured (double that amount if captured by women), a tactic of asymmetric warfare to erode troop morale.

The China Factor and Regional Realignment

One of the critical points is the role of China, which purchases between 80% and 90% of Iranian crude. Trump threatened to sanction anyone who helps Tehran, but Beijing has already ordered its companies to ignore those restrictions. Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian said: “Sanctions and pressure tactics are not the solution.” Chinese President Xi Jinping is expected to visit the United States in September, which limits Washington's ability to break with China.

On the military side, the USS George Washington has arrived in the Middle East to relieve the USS Abraham Lincoln, whose nine-month deployment under harsh conditions led to reports of low morale and mental health issues among the crew. The Lincoln has begun its journey home after a 13,000-nautical-mile trip to San Diego.

Regional Escalation and What's Next

Meanwhile, the Houthi rebels in Yemen have claimed drone attacks on an airport and an Aramco facility in Saudi Arabia, and a tanker issued a distress call in the Gulf of Aden, in an escalation that further regionalizes the conflict.

The White House has given no signal of a new round of talks. The conflict remains caught between military pressure, energy route disputes, and the lack of an immediate diplomatic exit, with direct consequences for global markets, regional economies, and the upcoming US election agenda in November.