President Donald Trump intensified pressure on Iran this week ahead of high-stakes diplomatic talks, warning that Tehran’s leadership is operating from a position of weakness while continuing to threaten global shipping lanes and energy markets.

In a fiery post on Truth Social, Trump argued that Iran’s remaining leverage depends almost entirely on its ability to disrupt international waterways, particularly the strategically critical Strait of Hormuz.

“The Iranians don’t seem to realize they have no cards, other than a short-term extortion of the World by using International Waterways,” Trump wrote.

The Strait of Hormuz remains one of the world’s most important energy chokepoints, carrying a substantial percentage of global oil exports. Any disruption to traffic through the narrow passage has the potential to trigger immediate shocks to global energy prices and international markets.

Trump made clear that he believes Iran’s military capabilities have been severely weakened following recent U.S. and allied operations in the region.

“The only reason they are alive today is to negotiate!” Trump added.

The president also claimed that Iran’s military infrastructure has been devastated.

“Their Navy is gone, their Air Force is gone, their Anti Aircraft apparatus is nonexistent, Radar is dead,” Trump wrote.

He further asserted that Iran’s missile systems and drone networks had been “largely obliterated,” along with many of the weapons themselves, and suggested that several longtime regime figures “are no longer with us.”

The comments come as a senior U.S. delegation prepares for direct negotiations with Iranian officials aimed at ending escalating hostilities in the region. According to reports, Vice President JD Vance will lead the American delegation alongside Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff and senior adviser Jared Kushner. Talks are reportedly scheduled to take place in Pakistan this weekend.

Trump also claimed the United States is actively securing the Strait of Hormuz following recent threats involving sea mines and attacks on shipping routes.

“The only thing they have going is the threat that a ship may ‘bunk’ into one of their sea mines,” Trump wrote, adding that “all 28 of their mine dropper boats are also lying at the bottom of the sea.”

“We’re now starting the process of clearing out the Strait of Hormuz as a favor to Countries all over the World,” Trump continued, specifically naming China, Japan, South Korea, France, and Germany.

Trump also stated that multiple major oil tankers were currently headed toward the United States “to LOAD UP with Oil,” underscoring the broader economic stakes tied to the conflict.

Meanwhile, John Fetterman delivered unusually strong criticism of portions of the American media during an appearance on Fox News Thursday night. Speaking with host Jesse Watters, Fetterman argued that some media organizations appeared more interested in undermining Trump than accurately portraying Iran’s actions and history.

Watters asked, “Senator, do some members of your party think Trump is more dangerous than the Iranians?”

“I can’t speak for my other Democrats, but the American media has, essentially, become — carrying water for Iran,” Fetterman responded. “And they’re describing the kinds of circumstances, then they forget the way Iran has behaved.”

“And why can’t we just call what Iran has been — and what it continues to do, those things? America is the force of good in the world, and holding Iran accountable, what they’ve done, is important,” he added.

Fetterman has increasingly broken with parts of his own party regarding Iran and Middle East policy, frequently supporting strong military responses and criticizing what he sees as overly sympathetic portrayals of the Iranian regime.

Last month, Fetterman also engaged in a tense exchange with Kaitlan Collins on CNN while defending recent U.S. military operations tied to Iran. At one point during the heated discussion, Fetterman bluntly told Collins, “You don’t have to cut me off here.”

The appearance came after international fallout surrounding a February 28 Tomahawk missile strike in southeastern Iran reportedly hit the Shajarah Tayyebeh elementary school in Minab. Iranian officials claimed at least 175 people, including many children, were killed.

A preliminary U.S. military review later reportedly found the strike stemmed from faulty targeting intelligence based on outdated information supplied by the Defense Intelligence Agency. Officials stated the intended target had been a nearby Iranian military facility.

As negotiations approach, tensions remain extremely high, with the outcome likely to shape not only the future of U.S.-Iran relations but also the stability of global energy markets and the broader balance of power in the Middle East.