Trump warns Iran: Disrupting Strait of Hormuz will bring 'twenty times harder' strikes

2026-03-10 - 06:13

President Donald Trump issued a stark warning to Iran on Monday, vowing that any attempt to disrupt oil shipments through the Strait of Hormuz would be met with overwhelming force. In a post on his Truth Social platform, Trump declared: "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." 'Easily destroyable' targets Trump stated that the US would target "easily destroyable" sites in Iran, potentially preventing the nation from rebuilding itself. "Death, Fire and Fury will reign upon them — But I hope, and pray, that it does not happen!" he added, employing the dramatic language that characterized his previous confrontations with Tehran. The warning comes as the US-Israeli campaign against Iran enters its second week, with more than 1,200 killed including Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Gift to China and others The president framed the warning as a protective gesture for global trade, particularly benefiting China and other nations heavily reliant on oil shipments through the Strait of Hormuz. "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," he added. The Strait of Hormuz typically carries about 20 million barrels of oil daily, approximately 20% of global consumption, but traffic has slowed sharply since Iran closed the waterway in retaliation for US-Israeli strikes. Escalating rhetoric Trump's warning represents a significant escalation in rhetoric as the conflict shows no signs of abating. Iran has already effectively closed the Strait to maritime traffic, and Iranian officials have warned that continued attacks on energy infrastructure could push global oil prices to $200 per barrel. The US has deployed naval assets to the region and offered insurance guarantees for shipping, but the waterway remains largely impassable for commercial vessels.