On Sunday, US President Donald Trump scared China with “incredible” new tariffs if Beijing helps Iran with military aid in the ongoing Middle East conflict.
During an interview on India BBC News’ Sunday Morning Futures, host Maria Bartiromo asked Trump if his warning of a 50% tax on countries that help Iran was aimed at China. Trump said, “Yes, China is a part of it,” and “Undoubtedly, China is a part of it.”I’ve heard reports that China is giving shoulder-fired anti-aircraft rockets, but I don’t always believe what I hear. I’m not sure that’s right. “I don’t think they would definitely do that because I know them and I don’t think they would do that. Maybe they did a little bit at first, but I don’t think they would do it anymore,” he said.
He repeated the warning, saying that if these kinds of things are found, a big half tariff would be added, making it clear that this would be a very big punishment.
Trump said he was sure that Iran would come back to the table when he talked about arrangements. “I predict they will come back and give us everything we want,” he said. “I want everything… They have no cards.”
Trump said that his tough-talking style, which included saying that an entire person was on the verge of collapse, had actually caused Iranian officials to agree to terms. He also pointed out that they had stayed at the negotiating table since then.
Trump said again that the US could damage Iran’s facilities quickly. The US president said, “I could get Iran in a day.”I could have all of their power, all of their electrical plants, and everything else in one hour. That’s a big deal. I hate doing it because it takes you ten years to fix it. They will never be able to. And the other point you make is that they have bridges. “I got one just to show them,” he said, adding that it can take years to fix damages like these.
Tensions rise in the Strait of Hormuz
The President of the United States announced plans to protect the Strait of Hormuz, including sending minesweepers from the US and its allies to remove Iranian marine mines.He said, “We have minesweepers there, and we’re also making even more conventional minesweepers.” He also said that countries like the UK are helping.
In a recent post on Reality Social, Trump took a more aggressive tone, saying that the US Navy would quickly block all ships trying to pass through the Strait of Hormuz in either direction.He said that any Iranian who shoots at them or at unarmed ships will definitely face terrible consequences.
Trump said, “THIS IS WORLD EXTORTION,” accusing Tehran of limiting maritime web traffic and possibly charging tolls. He also said that ships that paid these tolls would be stopped.
The Revolutionary Guards in Iran responded by saying they have full control over the important river and warned that any kind of aggressive action would have serious consequences.
The comments come after a long 21-hour meeting in Islamabad that did not end the six-week-long conflict.
JD Vance, the US Vice President and head of the US delegation, said that Washington had made its “last and best offer,” which included, “We’ll see if the Iranians approve it.”
