Washington, April 7 (NationPress) The pivotal Strait of Hormuz has become a critical flashpoint in the intensifying U.S.-Iran conflict, with President Donald Trump labeling it as "a major priority" while cautioning Tehran of dire repercussions should diplomatic talks fall through.

During a packed press briefing at the White House, Trump highlighted the precariousness of this narrow oil passage, asserting that it could be obstructed with minimal effort. "To close the strait, all it takes is one terrorist with a truck loaded with… a water mine. Just drop it in the water," he stated.

He further mentioned that even the mere suggestion of mines could halt international shipping. "You can do that even just by claiming we placed mines in the water," Trump remarked, emphasizing the potential risks for ships valued in the billions.

The comments came in the wake of increased tensions provoked by U.S. military operations within Iran and ongoing discussions with Tehran. Trump reiterated that ensuring uninterrupted energy flow is a key goal for Washington. "Part of that agreement will be to secure the free passage of oil and other goods," he asserted.

The Strait of Hormuz, through which a significant share of the world's oil is transported, has historically been a geopolitical pressure cooker. Trump indicated that while the U.S. has diminished Iran’s conventional military strength, asymmetric threats to the strait continue to be a concern.

"We’ve decimated their navy… completely taken out their Air Force," he noted, while also acknowledging that Iran's capability to deploy mines or disrupt shipping remains a significant challenge. "They could deploy them… I’m not even sure they have any mines… but they’re exceptionally skilled negotiators," he added.

Trump also proposed a novel idea: imposing tolls on maritime traffic. "We have a concept for charging tolls… why shouldn’t we? We’re the victors," he suggested, positioning it as a potential arrangement following conflict resolution.

Simultaneously, he indicated that diplomatic efforts are still ongoing but fraught with uncertainty. "They have until tomorrow, 8:00 eastern time… we believe [they are] negotiating sincerely," he remarked, while cautioning of significant military action should talks fail.

"We can hit them hard," Trump stated, noting that infrastructure targets are still viable options. "Very few things are off-limits," he emphasized, although he expressed hope that such measures wouldn’t be necessary.

The President recognized the wider global implications, stating that various nations are working to address the crisis. "Many people are affected by this situation," he concluded.