President Donald Trump is sharpening his message to Tehran as high-stakes negotiations loom, warning that Iran is operating from a position of weakness while attempting to leverage global shipping lanes.
“The Iranians don’t seem to realize they have no cards, other than a short-term extortion of the World by using International Waterways,” Donald Trump wrote Friday on TRUTH Social.
Trump’s remark underscores mounting U.S. frustration over threats to critical maritime routes, particularly the Strait of Hormuz, a chokepoint through which a significant share of the world’s oil supply flows.
“The only reason they are alive today is to negotiate!” Trump added, signaling a hardline posture even as diplomatic channels remain open.
The comments come as a senior U.S. delegation prepares for direct engagement. Vice President JD Vance, along with Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff and senior adviser Jared Kushner, is set to travel to Pakistan for talks with Iranian officials scheduled for Saturday.
"The Iranians don’t seem to realize they have no cards…" – President Donald J. Trump pic.twitter.com/6he3qjeN1N
— The White House (@WhiteHouse) April 10, 2026
