US President Donald Trump has warned that Washington has “very draconian sanctions” available against Iran and indicated that further measures could be announced, while claiming that the Strait of Hormuz remains open and that a US naval blockade has been “100% successful”.

Speaking to technology leaders, Trump said the United States would decide its next steps based on developments with Iran. He also said oil prices had remained below levels previously predicted despite tensions surrounding the key energy route and reiterated that Tehran would not be allowed to acquire nuclear weapons.

Trump Signals Further Sanctions Against Iran

Asked about possible sanctions on Iran, Trump said Washington had additional measures at its disposal and would assess the situation before deciding what action to take.

“We have things that we could sanction. We have very draconian sanctions, and we’ll see what happens,” Trump said.

Trump said the outcome could either result in a sharp decline in oil prices or see the United States maintain its existing measures against Iran.

“It’ll either be extremely good, and oil prices are going to drop like a rock or we’ll continue to do exactly what we’re doing,” he said.

Trump Claims Hormuz Blockade Is Effective

Trump also insisted that the Strait of Hormuz remained open and said ships were continuing to pass through the strategically important waterway despite tensions with Iran.

“Right now the Strait is open. A lot of boats are coming through. People aren’t reporting that,” Trump said.

He described the US naval blockade as “extremely effective” and claimed it had been “100% successful”, apart from brief periods when Washington had deliberately opened the route as part of an agreement.

“The naval blockade has been extremely effective. Zero–I mean, literally while it’s up, and that’s been for quite a while, you know, except for a couple of little pauses where we opened it purposely at… with a deal,” Trump said.

He added that the agreement had not produced the expected outcome, saying, “when they tell us one thing, and they do another”.

Trump Points To Oil Prices And US Production

Trump said crude prices had remained well below levels that had been forecast amid concerns over potential disruption to the Strait of Hormuz.

“They were talking about USD 350 a barrel, and it’s today 84, 85. And we are getting a lot of oil out,” he said.

He pointed to increased oil production in US states including Texas, Alaska and Louisiana, as well as new pipelines, arguing that these developments had reduced dependence on the Strait of Hormuz.

“I think the Hormuz Strait is not going to be quite as important as it was in the past,” Trump said.

Trump Says Iran Cannot Have Nuclear Weapon

Trump also reiterated Washington’s opposition to Iran possessing nuclear weapons, saying the United States would prevent Tehran from acquiring one.

“Iran cannot have a nuclear weapon. You know why? Because they’d use it. And we’re not going to let them use it. So Iran cannot have a nuclear weapon, and they won’t,” Trump said.

Earlier, Trump had described the situation with Iran as “so good” and suggested that negotiations with Tehran could resume “maybe at some point”.

“Maybe at some point, but right now I think the situation is so good,” he had said.

Washington-Tehran Talks Remain Uncertain

The comments came amid continuing tensions between Washington and Tehran over the Strait of Hormuz, a crucial global energy transit route.

Earlier reports said the US negotiating team had been asked to pause talks with Iran until Tehran was “ready to make a deal”. Trump had also said there were no talks or discussions currently scheduled with Iran, while maintaining that the Strait remained open and operational.

Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, however, said Tehran would not reopen the Strait of Hormuz until the United States fulfilled commitments under a 14-point Memorandum of Understanding.

The conditions cited by Ghalibaf include lifting the blockade, releasing frozen Iranian assets and easing oil sanctions. The conflicting positions underscore the continuing tensions between Washington and Tehran over the strategic waterway.

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