US President Donald Trump has warned Iran of severe retaliation if Tehran attempts to halt oil shipments through the strategic Strait of Hormuz, a key global energy corridor, ET Online reported.
In a post on social media, Trump said the United States would respond with overwhelming force if Iran disrupted shipping through the waterway, which carries roughly one-fifth of the world’s oil supply.
“If Iran does anything that stops the flow of Oil within the Strait of Hormuz, they will be hit by the United States of America TWENTY TIMES HARDER than they have been hit thus far,” Trump wrote.
The US president also warned of wider destruction if Tehran attempted to block the passage through the strait.
“Additionally, we will take out easily destroyable targets that will make it virtually impossible for Iran to ever be built back, as a Nation, again — Death, Fire, and Fury will reign upon them — But I hope, and pray, that it does not happen!”
Trump added that keeping the Strait of Hormuz open would benefit countries heavily dependent on the route for energy supplies.
“This is a gift from the United States of America to China, and all of those Nations that heavily use the Hormuz Strait. Hopefully, it is a gesture that will be greatly appreciated.”
Strait of Hormuz at centre of tensions
The warning comes as the confrontation between the United States and Iran has unsettled global shipping and energy markets, with commercial traffic through the Strait of Hormuz facing disruptions amid the conflict.
Located between Iran and Oman, the narrow waterway is one of the world’s most important energy corridors, carrying a significant share of global crude exports from Gulf producers.
Trump has earlier indicated that Washington could take measures to secure the route, including deploying the US Navy to escort commercial tankers through the strait.
War progress and oil market concerns
In a phone interview with CBS News, Trump suggested that the military campaign against Iran was progressing faster than expected.
“I think the war is very complete, pretty much,” he said, adding that Iran had lost key military capabilities. “[Iran has] no navy, no communications, they’ve got no air force.”
The president also said US operations were ahead of his earlier estimate that the conflict could take four to five weeks.
“We’re very far ahead of schedule,” he told CBS News.
Trump further indicated that the administration was considering steps to ease pressure on energy markets, including possible measures related to oil sanctions and maintaining tanker traffic through the Strait of Hormuz.
Speaking at a news conference earlier, he emphasised the importance of preventing further spikes in crude prices.
“We’re looking to keep the oil prices down,” Trump said. “They went artificially up because of this excursion,” ET Online reported.
